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THE YOUNG COMMANDER. % ilobfl BY THE AUTHOR OF THE TWO MIDSHIPMEN," "THE WARHAWK," &c. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. I. L O N 1) O N : THOMAS CAUTLKY NEWBV, PUBLISHER, 30. WEI.HECK STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE. 1S5(J. THE YOUNG COMMANDER. CHAPTEE I. -^ToWAKDS the close of the eighteenth century, ion the banks of the romantic river Fal, stood a -^very handsome mansion, of no great antiquity, ^though built in the style of the residences of ^the days of ^' Good Queen Bess." ^ It had been erected by Sir Hector Claude ^Tregannon, in the latter end of tlie reign of ':? George the First, and at the opening of our ^story, was inhabited by Sir Hector's grandson, ^ VOL. I. B I THE YOUisO COMMANDER. Sir Ilenrj Claude Tregannou, the fifth baro- net. The grounds surrounding the house were remarkably beautiful and extensive, though the prospect from the windows was somewhat circumscribed, the thickly wooded hills on the opposite side of the Fal obstructing the view. To the rear of the mansion, the land was plen- tifully covered with timber of luxuriant growth and foliage. In front, a beautiful and exten- sive lawn led to the high rocky banks of the Fal. This stream, which gives its name to the town and harbour of Falmouth, was not a quarter of a mile broad opposite Tregaunon House, but the banks on both sides of the river were exceedingly picturesque and beautiful, winding up between lofty hills, covered with wood, till its navigation ended at the town of Truro. On the opposite side of the river, facing Tregannon House, the country, for several miles, was very thinly inhabited, and at the THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 3 period of oar story, the nature of the land was extremely wild, thickly covered with timber and low shrubs, with abrupt cliiFs, and shal- low narrow creeks intersecting it. Below Tregannon House the river Fal emptied itself into a large sheet of water, forming one of the great branches of Falmouth harbour, having St. Just's Creek to the south, Milor Creek to the north, and Carrick Roads, (where all the men-of'war anchored,) to the west, with the town of Falmouth, Pendennis Hill and Castle, forming, altogether, a very beautiful pane-, rama. The month of May had commenced, and sweet and refreshing as the name of that beautiful month is, yet in the variable climate of Cornwall, May oftentimes assumes the aspect of March. However, on the day our story opens, it chanced to be remarkably balmy and pleasant ; the sun shone out bright and cheer- ful, the light westerly wind playing on the waters of the Fal, causing them to sparkle and B 3 4 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. ripple under its rays, in a manner tempting the beholder to embark on its gently flowing tide. The full light fell upon Tregannon House, its noble proportions shewing clearly and well defined, opposed to the dark foliage of the thick wood that covered the hill at the back. The giant shadows of the great old oaks that bordered the lawn, added to the pleasing effect, while rows of beautiful evergreens and flowering shrubs bordered the winding*, walks that were cut round the lawn, down to the very water's edge. About two o'clock on the day named, the front door of the mansion was thrown open, and two females, with three children came forth, and descending the flight of steps, began traversing the lawn, in the direction of the river, whose waters seen through the vista of trees, sparkling and glistening in the sun light, enticed a nearer approach. The three children, once on the grass, ran THE YOUNG CUMMANDEB. 5 on before the two females, with all the delio;ht and joyous movements of young people emanci- pated from restraint. Two of them were girls of seven and nine years of age, the third was a lovely boy, scarcely three. The two females, their attendants, both young women, went on, chatting and laughing, permitting the chil- dren to ramble and wander whither they pleased, chasing the early butterfly, tempted abroad by the beauty and warmth of the bright May day. Crouched behind a thick mass of furze, that stretched along the summit of the bank over- hanging the river, were two persons, a male and female, who were eagerly watching the children through an opening in the furze brake. The man who lay thus concealed was per- haps about thirty years of age. He might have been accounted at one time remarkably hand- some; but, at this period, his haggard, wild look was almost ferocious, as his dark eyes and bushy eyebrows were bent with a fearfully 6 Tin: YOUVG COMMAyDFR. sinister expression upon the three children. Even at his early a^e there were deep lines beneath the ryes, and round the corners of the mouth, making it very evident that his short life had been passed in vice and dissipation of every sort, for, at a careful glance, it might be discerned, that he was prematurely old. That he had once been a strong, powerful man was evident, from his breadth of shoulder and chest, but now he was thin, almost emaciated. His garments, formerly those of a gentleman, were threadbare, patched and torn in many places. So much for the man who plays no inconsiderable part in this our true story ! The woman by his side was his wife, three years younger, she had once been singularly handsome ; but when introduced to the notice of our readers, was a wretched object to be- hold. This woman, at fivo-and-twenty, was a confirmed drunkard. Gin, the bane of the human race, was all she cared for. She was miserably attired ; a fragment of an old shawl THE YOUNG OM-UANDKR. 7 only partly covered her shoulders, and a dirty, torn straw bonnet her head, while the tresses of a once very fine head of hair hung dis8 quite enough to kill a horse on the instant, and then replaced the stopper. During this proceeding, the Baronet several times moved and moaned, though his eyes re- mained^ fast closed; whilst at each movement the man's hand grasped the handle of his long knife. He next approached the desk, and 28 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. taking a pen, thouglit, for a moment, before writing four or five lines in a steady, bold hand, putting at the bottom his name. This paper he placed upon the table, so that, on waking, the Baronet should instantly perceive it. He then retired behind the high back of the great arm-chair, first placing his cold, clammy band on the head of the uneasily sleeping Baronet. A shudder like an attack of ague seemed to shake the form of Sir Henry, then his eyes unclosed, and he wildly looked around him. The paper seemed to catch his attention at once, for he grasped it with a violent,, nervous eagerness, and read the lines. The effect ap- peared appalling — he gasped for breath — trem- bled in every limb — and with a sudden spas- modic action, seized the glass of wine, and swallowed it, as if to relieve himself from fainting. But the instant the wine passed his lips, with its deadly mixture, he gave a wild THE YOUXG COMMANDER. 29 and fearful shriek, and would have seiaed the bell-rope, but a hand held him down in his chair. The next instant he was a corpse. Seizing the paper from the hand of the dead man, the murderer thrust it crumpled into his breast pocket, and instantly fled from the room. As he did so, he heard a door in the corridor open, but he fled swiftly, and, in a few minutes, reached the chamber, through which he had entered the house. Locking the lumber-room door, he resumed his shoes, muttering — ** I did not count upon that fearful shriek ; 1 thought the poison too deadly for even a murmur to escape his lips. Ha ! by heavens, there goes a bell — there is not a moment to lose." Getting out of the window, he dropt on the bough, and, in an instant, gained the foot of the tree, having first carefully closed the window, ricking up his hat, he ran down amongst the evergreens, and gaining the furze 30 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. brake, luy dowu to recover breath. Scarcely five minutes elapsed, and then ho heard the gallop of a horse down the broad avenue lead- ing to the principal gate. ** Good !'' muttered the murderer, " thej are expeditious. Shews he kept up the old cus- tom — a horse saddled, and a groom ready, throughout the night, to mount at an instant's warning. But all the doctors brc^athing, may look wise, and try their skill. He is gone !" And, with a terrible laugh, he sprang down the bank, cast off the rope, and entering the punt, let it drop down the river with the fall- ing tide. THE YOUNG COMMANDKK. 31 CHAPTEE II. At the period of our tale, there resided in a handsome house, on the marine parade at Ply- mouth, ar Mr. Stonehengc, an attorney-at-law. This gentleman had considerable practice, though not always considerable emolument, in a certain branch of his profession, and was generally remarkably fortunate in all the* cases he undertook, hence arose the idea of his talrnt. Fortunate or clever, these two words — how ditfertnt in their real signification — 32 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. sonietiraes, however, mean the eame thing — at least, most part of the human race are inclined to believe that every man successful and fortu- nate, must be also eioeedingly clever, and the possessor of considerable abilities. Mr. Stonehenge's chief practice lay in our criminal law courts, and always on the part of the criminal or the prosecuted. No matter how deep the guilt of the prisoner — no matter how apparent his crime, Mr. Stoneheuge was always ready to defend him, and whether for- tunate or clever, it matters not, he more fre- quently gained his cause than otherwise. In- deed, having succeeded in some rather remark- able criminal cases, he acquired no small degree of fame. Mr. Stonehenge was not considered a bad kind of man, though he was known to be rather greedy of gain, and having risen from a very low grade, into the position he then held, he was ambitious of rising still higher, THE YOUNG COM ANDrR. 33 and would not, it was thought, be very parti- cular as to the means employed to gain his ends. Still he was, outwardly, a very merry, good- natured man amongst his own family, and very fond of his wife and two daughters. We introduce him to the notice of our readers, some ten or twelve days after the events recorded in our first chapter ; he was sitting at breakfast, with his wife and two daughters, both extremely good-looking girls, respectively of fifteen and eighteen years of age. Mr. Stonehenge himself was about the middle height, but very stout, with a round full face, light hair, and a pair of sharp, quick, grey eyes ; he was vei}' neat in his person and attire. Mrs. Stonehenge was rather tall and thin, but with a quiet, agreeable countenance; dressed well, but not beyond her station or means. The room the party was breakfasting in, c 5 34 TllK TOUNO COMMANDKR. Mas a parlour, with a large bow window, look- ing out on the fair and beautiful bay of I ly mouth, m ith Mount Kdgecurabo on the right, und to the left the Start Point. The break- water did not then exist. The bay was covered with Bhippinir, from the stately two- decker, to the tanned sailed barge. Mr. Stonehenge had just finished two eggs, a round of toast, and a few slices of liaui, and feeling correspondingly comfortable, and not being pressed lor time, he cast a glance out of the window, and said — *' Now, Ivosa, Ti y love, hand me the ' Fal- mouth Packet^'' and I will read you the news." '' La, pa," said Miss Eosa, handing the paper, '' there is never anything in that paper but Rhippin;^: intelligence, and mines dis- covered, and polytechnic meetings, &o., I never rend it." '' There yo'i are wrong," returned tlie father, *' The J\uhel is the best local paper in the two counties. 1 tupj'ose you want a paper full of THK YOING COMMANDER. the fashions, balls, pic-nics, and a good'y pf»rinkliug of horrible murders." *• Certainly not the last, papa," returned i^osa. ^' I think, my dear," said her mother, with a smile, and a knowing look at her husband, *' the last named intelligence would suit you best." *^ God bless my soul !" suddenly excluiineu the attorney, ^* here's a most strauge and melancholy piece of information ! 1 know all the parties well." *' What is it?" demanded wife and diiui^li- ter's iu one breath. " Xutliin;^ less than the death of Sir ILnrv Claude Tregannon, by taking an overduso uf prussic acid.'' *' Trussic acid 1" exclaimed Mrs. Stone - henge. *'Good God, that is poison. 'A'h.it could induce a man to take that fur a dose ?'" " All I Me was a slrauge ecjJuU'ir. .iiaii,'* said the atturncy. " It secias his <^ji1\ 36 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. and heir was supposed to bu drowued in the Fal : but I will read you the paragraph — it is rather loni^, but it fully explains this extra- ordinary affair, as far as it can be explained. I will tell you about the deceased baronet afterwards." With a loud " Ahem !'^ the attorney then read as follows : — *' It is with exceeding regret that we have to record tiie sudden death of Sir LLenrj Claude Tregaunon, Baronet. This melancholy a id most unexpected event occurred on the night after the extraordinary disappearance of the young heir of Tregannon. The unfortu- nate child, it is supposed, fell into the river, at the bottom of Tregannon lawn, whilst running to hide from his sisters; whether such is the case or not, it is, at present, impossible to say. The Baronet, it appears, retired to his cham- ber about one o'clock in the morning, after spending many hours with his attendants, in THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 37 vainly searching for his lost child, by land and by water. We now quote the account of the Baronet's death, given by Mr. Philip's, the de- ceased personal attendant, in his examination before the coroner. *' The late Sir Henry suffered from a very severe and troublesome cough. To relieve this, he took prussic acid, of course in very minute doses. lie also frequently took opium to induce sleep, and oftentimes sat up all ni<^^ht, suffering less in that position from his cough than while lying down. *^ That night Sir Henry retired to his room in a terribly distressed state of mind, declined going to bed, and dismissed Mr. Philips, sayiug he would summon him if he required anything. "The Baronet's attendant slept in the same corridor, and a bell communicated from his master's room. Mr. Philips added — *^ He retired to bed about half-past one, but did not undress. Merely threw off' his cuut, o8 THE YOUNO COMMANDER. and lay down ; for ho felt distressed at seeing Sir Henry suffer so. He was not certain whether he fell asleep or not. He might have been dosing, when a most piercing shriek caused him to leap, stupified from his bod. He paused a moment, and then snatching up the night-lamp that always burned in his room, rushed out into tlie corridor, and proceeded to his master^s door. The two young ladies and their governess slept in the same corridor — they also heard the shriek, and hastily dress- ing, came out pale and terrified. Miss Pritchard, the governess, said the shriek came from the Baronet's room. Mr. Philips then opened the chamber door and entered. All was perfectly still, tho lamp was burning on tlie table, and nothing seemed disturbed ; but on advancing to the chair, he beheld his muster lying back against it. He uttered a cry of alarm, for he saw at once that Sir Henry Tregannon was dead. Miss Pritchard pulh^d the bell frantically, hurried the two appalled cail- THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 89 dren back to their room, and then fainted. Mr. Philips ordered one of the terrified ser- vants, who came up half-dressed, to run to the stables, and direct the groom to mount and ride with the greatest possible speed to Truro for the family physician, although be knew life was quite extinct. Till his arrival, he ordered the door to be closed, and nothing to be touched." In less than two hours Doctor Pluratre arrived ; of course all he could say on the sub- ject was, that Sir Henry Claude Trcgannon died from an over dose of prussic acid, which no doubt the unfortunate Baronet took by mis- take, during a state of exces^ve excitement of mind, arising partly from a naturally nervous temperameut and great distraction of mind from the loss of his only son. The verdict of the coroner's jury was therefore to that effect." After reading this long paragraph, Mr. Stonehenge put down the paper, aud looked remarkably thoughtful. 40 THE YOUNG COMM^NDKR. '^ What a vastly melancholy affair alto- gether," said Mrs. Stonehenge. " Fatlier and son both dead, at least they suppose the poor child is drowned. What else could have be- come of him ?" ,• '^ He might, mamma," said the youngest daugh^r, "be stolen by gipsies for the sake of his clothes, or for the purpose of gaining a large reward afterwards." '*But," said Mrs. Stonehenge to her husband, who seemed to be in a reverie, " who succeeds to the great property of Treganuon ? The daughters cannot inherit the estate, for I heard you say that some time ago, and something is running in my head about some person or other you once got acquitted for some crime, whose name was Tregannou, or very like it." " By Jove, you are right, Mary — quite right; I was thinking of that very individual, and most extraordinary to say, that very man who stood in the dock at Bodmin, within an ace of being condemned to death as a forger, is now, THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 41 if the child is dead, unquestionably the next in succession to the title and estate of Tre- gannon, a rental of lull fourteen thousand pounds a year." *^ Good gracious I" exclaimed the young ladies, *^ a forger become a baronet ! IIow horrible !" "You forget, my dears," said the attorney, rather seriously, " he was acquitted, and there- fore innocent.'' "But," said Mrs. Stonehenge, " I remember you said at the time, you only saved him through some informality, or quibble, or some- thing." "It does not signify," returned Mr. Stone- henge, a little sharply, " what it was, the law declared him not guilty, therefore he has a right to be considered an innocent man." " I know you are quite right, my dear," said Mrs. Stonehenge, meekly. " I never heard the whole affair." " Do, papa, if J-ou have time, tell us all about 42 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. it, and what kind of man the late Sir Henry was — we have heard such strange things said of him." " Well, I do not mind indulging you," said the attorney, who always enjoyed to a certain degree, the pleasure of hearing himself talk. ^^ Sir Henry Claude Tregannon and his brother James Walpole, were twin children ; but the late Sir Henry had the good fortune to get the start of his brother into this world, full two minutes. This lucky advance into life consti- tuted him the heir of the Tregannon estate. Now, though he was the first born, it did not turn out that he was the strongest. On the contrary, he was, though a singularly handsome child, weak and puny, while his brother James was a strong, lusty boy. And as they were born, so they grew up. The late Sir Henry was about four-and-twenty when he succeeded to the title and property. His brother was in the army, and said to be a most extravagant, dissipated young man, who, THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 43 in few years, spent a large fortune, and then married a woman much beneath him. Sir Henry was a remarkably studious and retiring man, fond of chemistry to excess, exceedingly nervous, and took to dosing himself and dabbling in poisons. At the age of thirty or so he married a young lady, highly connected, with a large fortune, which was, I understood, settled upon any progeny they might have. Though Sir Henry was of a weak, delicate frame, still, as I said, his features were beautiful, and his per- son, though slight, remarkably elegant. I speak from my own observation, for 1 not only saw him during the trial of James Tregannon, but several times after. " His first child," a boy, died in infancy. This irritated him, for he longed for an heir, as the estate of Tregannon was strictly entailed. His second child was a girl. About this period, I believe it was, that he was bitten by a mad dog — at least, they said it was mad — and it was shot before they clearly ascertained whether it was 44 THE YOUNQ COMMANDER. afflicted with hydrophobia. Thus the Baronet remained under the impression that he had been bitten by a rabid animal, which affected his already nervous tempi^Tament, and made him infinitely worse. lie was greatly beloved by his numerous tenantry, and by all those about him, being exceedingly humane and kind-hearted. He took an invincible dislike to all dogs, and consequently they were all ba- nished from his immediate vicinity. ** A strange fatality seemed to hang over the Baronet and his family. His wife and brother died nearly at the same period — the latter leaving an orphan boy, about fourteen years of age, totally unprovided for. Sir Henry sent for the boy, and installed him at Tregannon. I can tell you nothing about him at that time, except from vague reports. I only knew from the man himself, that his uncle sent him to a public school in England, and that he returned to Tregannon at the age of eighteen. Just before this, the Baronet received into his esta- THE YOUNG COMMANDRR. 45 blishment a young lady, the orphan daughter of a Cornish clergyman, with whom he had formerly been very intimate, both at Oxford and afterwards. She was said to be a very beauiiful, talented, and accomplished girl. She becamethe governess of MissTregannon, James Tregannon, at the age of twenty, was accounted a handsome man, and was tall and strongly built. I first heard of him as being concerned in some swindling transaction at the races at Exeter. I was there, but the case was hushed up. He kept race-horses unknown to his uncle, betted and played high, frequented low places kept depraved society, and was enormously in debt ; but being considered his uncle's heir, he succeeded in pacifying his creditors. ^^ I believe it was about this time that he actually married a young woman of specious appearance, but of a notoriously bad character. At last his uncle found out his pursuits, and the mad act he had committed, and also ascer- 46 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. taincd that his debts were immense. He at once told him he must go abroad. "James Tregannon did not inform me of all the particulars of this interview ; but he said it was a stormy one, and that he accused his uncle of retaining the really amiable Miss Temple as his mistress, >Yhich gross and false accusation drove the Baronet wild, and in- duced him to do at once what he really wished todobefore,and this was to offer his hand to Miss Temple. He banished his nephew from Tre- gannon, allowiug him a handsome annuity as long as he conducted himself well, and imme- diately afterwards married Miss Temple. Again the Baronet became a father, and again a girl was born. It was at this time that James Tregannon committed two forgeries, one for six thousand pounds, and the other for two thousand, forging his uncle's name to two sc'parate cheques, in each instance obtaining the money. On the point of embarking THE YOUNG COMMAKDER. 47 -with his wife for America, he was arrested with nearly the whole sum on his person in drafts or cheques upon the mercantile houses in New York. He was finally lodged in Bodmin Jail, to stand his trial at the assizes. I undertook his defence. His uncle, the Baronet, ^Yas re- solved not to be turned from his stern purpose, as he |had acknowledged that the bills and cheques were forgeries. It was said, and I believe such a report was founded in fact, that Sir Henry, who had immense interest in a high quarter, intended to get his nephew's sentence of death (for there is no doubt but that he would have been condemned) changed into transportation ; seeing it was utterly hopeless to look for a change in his terrible career. Of course I had many interviews with this strange man, who seemed not at all to feel his awful situation, for at that time I saw no hopes of saving him. So far, his uncle, however, acted fairly ; for he left him ample funds to pay the expenses of his defence. 4i THE YOUNG COMMANDER. *^ I found by liis own confession, there were many other charges against liim besides the forgeries, but they were not brought forward, I suppose, seeing that the charge against him was too palpable to be got over. Through an extraordinary blunder in the indictment, and which I eagerly took advantage of, James 'J're- gannon was acquitted, and before others could arrest him, he disappeared, and from that time to this I have heard nothing of him. I was, however, amply remunerated, and acquired considerable credit for the discovery of the blunder of the prosecuting attorney. ^*With respect to Sir Henry, I only know from report that he lived most happily with the amiable w^oman he had married. She bore him three children, two girls and a boy, but unhappily died in giving birth to the latter. This blow completely shattered the nerves and constitution of the Baronet. And thus, girls, the case stands. Now, Eosa, there's a capital beginning for a novel — eh !" THE TOUNG COMMANDKR. 49 *' Yes," returned Miss Rose, ^' provided you made out that the child had been stolen by his bad cousin, James Tregauuon, and that ho came to his rights again." Mr. Stonehengo gave a slight start, looked into the sorious facj of his daughter, and thou said — " Very strange !" He then got up, and went down to his office. ** Well, all this is a very melancholy and strange affair," said Mrs. Stouehenge to her daughter.>^. ^^ I should not at all wonder but that this James Tregannon will again show himself, when he hears of his uncle's death, and the loss of the heir." *' But father said," remarked the elder girl, '* that there were other serious charges against hirfi." *' Fourteen thousand a year, my dear," said Mrs. Stonehenge, with a smile, ^' will have a very soothing effect with creditors." VOL. I. D 50 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. ** Well, for my part," suid Eosa, who was very roinautic, aud very good-natured — **ia my heart I trust the dear little boy was stolen, and not drowned.'^ THE YOUNG COMMANDKK. 51 CHAPTEK III. Some four or five weeks after the events of our last chapter, Mr. Stonehcnge was sitting writing in his private office, when his man -servant put his head into the room, saying — " There is a man at the dour, who wishes particularly to see you, sir.'* ** Then why not show him in, John ?'' " Why, sir, he looks so remarkably shabby." *• That does not signify, John," returned the attorney. You know I so.netimes get queer customers." D 3 Of lauioii^ ^i>iHtH:>^^^. 52 THK YOUNG COMMANDER. ^' True, sir," replied John, with a smile, and iu a few secouds he usher jd in a tall man, who entered with an easy, iinemharrassed air. John closed tlie door, and Mr. Stonehenge put down his pen and looked up in the Inco of his visitor. As he did so, he felt himself turn pale, and then red, while he leaned baek in his cliair with an exclamation of — ^* God bless me ! ^Ir. James Tregannon." ^^ Sir James Walpule Treganuon, I hope,^' very coolly returned the visitor, taking a chair and seating himself. '* I am glad, Mr. Stone- henge, that you remember me.'' *' Perfectly," returned the attorney ; *' per- fectly 1'^ his mind impressed with a hundred visions of sudden greatness to be achieved through tlie instrumentality of his quondam client, whom our readers will at once recognise as the abd: ctor of the unfortunate heir of Tre- gannon. In outward appearance he was by no nieans improved. The same tattered and mise- rable attire and rimless hat — his features even THE YOUNG COMMANDEIL G3 more cadaverous aad worn. The only altera- tion was in his manner; ho carried himselt more erect, and his voice and action appeurcid almost insolent and audacious. " Well, Mr. Stonehenge," began Jaines Tre- gannon, after a short pause, '^ we meet again after a separation of nearly nine years. You see I am not improved in personal appearance," and he cast his battered hat from him witii a gesture of contempt, adding, " I have suffered much, Mr. Stonehenge, from my uncle's unre- lenting persecution of me. I wrote to him after that trial at Bodmin, stating that if he would give me six thousand pounds 1 would quit thi* country for ever. He took no notice of my letter ; I wrote him a second, and gave way to the resentment I felt, and told him 1 would inherit Tregannon in spite of him. Well, tor once fortune has stood my friend ; 1 see by t'lc papers that he poisoned himself, and that his son was drovvned." >lr. Stonehenge's eyes mot those ut tlie 54 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. speaker with a strange, enquiring gaze, but James Tregannon bore the glance with a look of perfect self-possession. " I see," said Mr. Stonehenge, after a mo- ment's consideration, and in a very conciliating tone, *^ I see you have suffered much ; but if this child should turn up " ** Turn up," interrupted James Tregannon ; ^^ oh, then you have not read this morning's paper ?" ^' Singular to say, I only read the leading article ; but what paper do you refer to ?" '^ The Falmouth Packet^^^ returned James Tregannon. ^' I only saw the Times ^ and read the leading article on the state of France. What is the article you refer to ? — has it reference to the unfortunate child of the deceased Baronet ?" ** Precisely so ; the body has been found." Mr. Stonehenge turned very pale, and fidgeted on his chair. *^ It seems," coolly continued James Tre- THE YOUNO COMMANDER. 5-5 gannon, ^Hliat the boy mu??t have fallen into the water, for the body was found in a hole some miles down the river, fast in a fishini; weir, the fuce and body ranch mutilated by the action of the tide beating it against the rocks ; but the garments were all recognised, and indeed the body also, the paper says, by the governess, and several domestics of my deceased uncle — and was buried with all due honour," he added, with a sneer ; " so, my dear friend ; for such I must always consider 3^ou, after the valuable service you ren- dered me some years ago ; there will be no difficulty in proving my rights, for, in the first place, the estate of Tregannon is strictly entailed, and even if the late Baronet left a will, it would not affect my rights to the title and property." " Such is the fact," said the Attorney ; ^'bui is there nothing — pardon me if 1 seem in- quisitive — is there anything you yourself — " ^^Stay^" interrupted James Tregannon, 'Met 56 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. US come to clear understanding. You, per- haps, saved my life ; I feel, therefore, under some obligation to you, and preferred coining to you to any other in your profession. Let us make it a matter of business at once. Now, I make you this offer — put me in full possession of my riglits, and the day I am acknowledged Sir James Tregannon and possessor of the Tre- gannon estates, I will bind myself to pay you the sum of five thousand pounds, and constitute you my agent over the property. You may reside in the mansion, if you desire it ; as I intend going abroad for some years.'' *^ You have," eagerly replied Mr. Stonehenge, ^'made a handsome offer; now, to earn this sum and put you in possession, I must fully know how you are situated. I am aware that you have heavy debts ; they can be settled. But there is something else, is there not ?" ** Unquestionably there is," replied Mr. Tregannon, *'some six months before I was arrested for those forgeries — you see, Mr. THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 67 Stonehenge, I speak without reserve — I was intimately acquainted with a 'Sir. St. Leger, a young man of large property, who was about to visit the East — he was passionately fond of horses and horse-racing, and played high — he won some hundreds from me ; however, to come to the point, 1 put his name to a cheque, and received two thousand five hundred pounds from his bankers, Messrs. B and D , of London." Mr. Stonehenge for a moment looked blank, but James Tregannon continued — *' I should have been prosecuted for this act, had I not been arrested for the other forgery, and b. fore they could take steps to secure me, I got out of the way. Now, though this seem- a bad business, to a cl ver man like you it wil' not be so." '' I do not know that," ^^aid ^Ir. Slouehei-. : • thoughtfully. '* But I will shew you how you ran ( i*- D 5 58 THE YOUNG COMMANDFR. get over it, previously to asserting my rights," said James Tn^gannon. "Very good," said the Attorney, ''I am listening." And thinking also, he might have said. ** Mr. St. Leger is a ruined man ; lie has dissipated a noble fortune, and is at this mo- ment in a mean lodging in London, hiding from his creditors. Three thousand or five thousand pounds will settle that affair ; you know how to go about it." The Attorney remained several moments buried in deep thought, and then, looking up more cheerfully, said, rubbing his hands — " Yes, I think I can; lam intimately ac- quainted with the firm of B and D . Is there anything else ?" James Trcgannon hesitated — that hesitation led to ruinous consequences afterwards. '^No," said he, " there is nothing else that can affect my assuming my title and rights." THR YOUNG COMMAXDr.R. 69 *' Do you know what property goes to the late bironet's daughter?" questioned the At- torney. *' Miss Trep^annon, who married Sir Charles Trccastle some three years ago, in- herited her mother's property — the other two girls were provided for, I believe, in a clause in the late baronet's marriage settlement, when he married Miss Temple. He must have left some considerable property in money and otherwise," remarked Mr. Stonehenge, thought- fully, '^ if there is no will you will inherit this also." '^ Well, the sooner you set about yonr en- quiries, &c., the better for me and yourself." '* Certainly. I will lose no time," said Mr. Stonehenge. *' To-morrow, at this hour, I will have a proper document drawn up for you to sign — business i^ business, you know, Mr. Tregannon." ** Undoubtedly," returned the future baronet ; *' but, in the meantime, 1 am reduced to gre.it want, and my wife is ill. 1 am under an a*- 60 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. sunied name, and I want, as you may per- ceive, a bettor outfit. Let nie Lave, therefore, a few pounds. '^ *' Certainly," said the Attorney; '* indeed, I regret that you are placed in such a position ; but, I think, for a week or so, you had better keep close." Opening his desk, he took out three ten- pound notes, and handed them over to James Tregannon, who eagerly took them, saying, as he thrust them crumpled into the dilapidated breast-pocket of his coat — ^' This will do — I will make myself more re- spectable in appearance before this time to- morrow." He rose as he spoke, and, in drawing his hand out of his pocket, he drew the lining with it — laughing, he was putting it back, not observing that in doing so, a crumpled paper fell from under the lining of the pocket. Though this escaped the eyes of James Tre- gannon, it did not the sharp, keen observation ot THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 61 the Attorney, who said not a word, but rose up and accompanied his visitor to the door, with- out requiring the assistance of his man John. As soon as the door closed upon Mr. James Tregannon, Mr. Stonehenge returned to his study, and, stooping down, picked up the crumpled piece of p.ipcr. If he knew how many anxious hours of torture and suspense — of fear and vexation the loss of tliat crumpled paper caused James Tregannon, ho would have felt a kind of awe in lifting it from the floor, but Mr. Stonehenge had acted not merely from curiosity, but from a desire to gain, by any means, some insight into his old client's past life, lie thought the paper might be a letter, might disclose some particulars that would perhaps be useful to him in his future proceedings; at all events, the hiwycr was not scrupulous, we mnst confess. Mr. Stonehenge therefore carelessly pii^-ked up the paper, and putting it on his deejlc, smoothed it out — it was written on both sides 62 THE YOUNG COMMANDKR. — he tbon cast his glance upon the four or five lines it contained. As he read, he felt himself grow faint, for ho comprehended all — and, sinking back into his chair, he looked like a man felled by some terrible blow ; he re- mained thus for several minutes, gazing upon vacancy, although his mind was fully em- ployed. Suddenly he got up, locked the door, and taking the piece of paper that caused him so much emotion, he folded it carefully, enclosed it in a sheet of paper — lighting a taper, he sealed the packet, and wrote on the back — ** Document received from James Walpole Tre- gannon, July the 3rd, 17S — . He then opened a small highly finished iron casket, with a very peculiar lock —in this casket he placed the packet, locked it, and putting the key into his pocket, sat down, and, for nearly an hour, re- mained buried in profound thought. Starting up, with a heightened colour, he muttered, half aloud — TITE TOCNG COMMANDER. 6S ^' Xo, I should be a fool to do so ; I will not cast away fortune thus thrown into my very hands." And ringing his bell, desired John to go to the back office and summon Mr. Gilrnonr, his head clerk, to attend him. We must now follow the footbteps of James Tregannon. When the door of the Attoraey's house closed upon him, he moved on a pace or two, and then paused, and, turning round, looked up at the windows ; his eyes, as he did so, rested upon the face of a tall, handsome girl, standing at the open window, looking out upon the glorious bay ; but, seeing the tall, shabbily-dressed individual looking up, she, for an instant, let her eyes rest upon his face ; having done so, she started back from the window, with a flush upon her cheek, she hardly knew why. *' Humph !" muttered James Tregannon, ** a handsome girl — old Stoneheugc's daughter, no doubt." 64 THE TOUNG COMMANDER. lie passed on, and descending a flight of steps, entered one of the most bustling streets of the town ; going into a spirit store, he pur- chased a bottle of port wine and one of brandy, lie next entered an apothecary's, and procured some ether and hartshorne, and some tonic mixture, and laden with these purchases he proceeded into that quarter of the town mostly inhabited by the poor and needy. In truth, it was a dreary looking locality He passed on his way, and dirty and miserable in ap- pearance were the habitations. At length he stopped before a mean looking house, of two stories, a lodging-house, where poor wanderers and travellers were accommodated with a bed for two pence a- night, or a room for two shillings a- week. At the door of this house, with the fragment of a mop in her hand, a dirty cap, with a soiled piece of blue ribbon as an ornament on her head, stood a middle-aged woman, resting her mop on the ground, she eyed her lodger, and the bundles THE TOUNQ COMMANDER. G5 be carried under his arm, with, a keen inqui- ssitive look. " Well, Smith, it's to be hoped you have gotten enough to pay for your week's lodgiuj^. Your wife's bad, I can tell jou, and I can't keep lodgings for trampers unless as how they pays for 'em — mine aint a trampcr's inn." " Curse you and your filthy house," fiercely interrupted James Tregannon, at the same time tossing a five shilling piece at the woman's feet ; and pushing her aside, went into the house, mounted a most crazy flight of stairs, and entered a miserably- furnished room. X low bed, with patched and soiled quilt, a deal table, two ricketty chairs, and a triangular piece of looking-glass stuck against the bare wall, constituted the furniture of this apartment, and on that wretched bed lay the wife of James Walpole Tregannon, the man who, in a few short weeks, was to possess a title and fourteen thousand a year. We said, on the bod lay his wretched wife. 66 THE YOUNG COMMA^'DER. she was dying — dying fast, from vice, from misery, from drink — she was fearfully emaci- ated — the eyes sunk — the forehead damp with perspiration, and the thin colourless lips drawn tight across teeth that once were unrivalled for beauty. The glassy eyes turned upon her husband as he entered, and his were bent upon hers, he gave a ^light start, for, at a glance, he saw that the fell destroyer — death, was there. Did that man of crime, that man of an iron heart, feel no pang as he looked into that once fair face, then so ghastly and so wan. Did no remoise strike his soul, no thought of the future appal his mind and make him tremble for the hour when he should feel the destroy- er's hand pressed upon himself. Outwardly, he showed no symptoms, but the heart is not so easily read as the features. lie approached the bed, saying : — " Well Jane, I have good news for you, and bring you something to cheer your heart, I shall soon get you well now.'' THE T0T7NG COMMANDER. C7 And he commenced drawing the cork from the port wine bottle. ^' James," murmured the unfortunate woman, in a low, mournful voice, " James, I am dying ! Oh, my God, bring me a clergyman." '^ Tut, nonsense," sharply returned James Tregannon, " you are weak for want of good food, take this cup of wine, it will revive you and give you spirits." The miserable woman eagerly held out her emaciated hand, and though, as she carried the cup to her lips, it shook fearfully, she drank it down ; it seemed instantly to revive her, for she tried to raise herself a little, and a fiiint flush came into her pale cheek. ** Ah, did 1 not tell you so, my poor girl, so you are better now, another cup will enable you to sit up." And he held a full one to her. "Yes, it warms me," she murmured, '* and yet my breath — " She drank the second cup and then fell back. C8 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. The words, ** my God," were murmured. She raised her hand wildly, and then, with a short struggle, breathed her last sigh — she was dead. James Tregannon, this time, did shudder, as, in a loud voice, he called upon the woman of the house. The woman came coolly and unconcernedly into the chamber of death, and as she cast her eyes upon the bed said — *^ Ah, you let her take too much at a time, not indeed that she could have lived 1 eyond a few hours." James Tregannon, this man of crime and infamy, stood, for a moment, as if some portion of feeling still remained in his obdurate heart. His eyes were fixed upon the face of her, who, whatever had been her vices and crimes, had clung to him through years of degradation and misery. Memory, for a moment, was busy in the brain of the wretched husband, and visions of the past recalled the face, at that moment THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 09 80 ghastly and terrible to look upon, unco fair and beautiful ; but, alas, it was beauty o.ily of face and form, for the heart, from very early youth, was corrupt to the very core. Latterly, he bad become rough, and, at times, almost brutal in his conduct towards her, which caused her to try and bury her recolloctions of the past in drink, and to this besetting s'n she gave way, till it killed her. Poverty, abject poverty, is a hard task- master. The good and pious bear it with resignation, and die, looking further than the grave for their reward. The vicious and depraved are driven by it into greater crime, and too often die, cursing only their ill fortune, and with no thought of the future. '* Well, Smith," said the woman of the house, looking as unconcernedly upon the corpse as upon a dead kitten, ** have you money enough to bury her ? — if not, you must apply " ** Silence, woman," savagely interrupted James Tregannon, rousing from his reverie. ^0 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. Putting bis hand into Lis pocket, he took out five guineas and threw them on the table. The woman's eyes glistened as they became fixed upon the gold, which had for her the power of the rattlesnake — it fascinated her. *' There, woman, is money ; order what is necessary, and let her be buried in the church of this parish. If you want more money you shall have it — let all be decently done.'' The woman looked at him with astonishment depicted in her countenance. *' You may depend, Mr. Smith, she shall be decently laid out, and I'll go instantly for Mrs. Jones." ^' Do so," impatiently interrupted James Tregannon, and taking up his hat, he walked out. *' I think's as how he's been a gentleman once, and p'raps he's got some of his money again," said the woman ; " well, I'll go and fetch my crony, and we'll have a drop of this wine anyhow." THE YOUNG CoMJtfi^NDER. 71 Filling herself out a cup- full, she looked round the room, and then at the corpse. '^ Ah !" she muttered, ** its good wine, but she was too far gone." Jauies Tregannon did not return till dusk, and then the woman of the house looked at him with considerable surprise and no little increased respect ; for he was now attired in an entire suit of mourning, a new hat, etc., and whether it was the dress or a change of manner that made so vast a difference, but both herself and Mrs. Jones (they both smelt strongly of brandy) appeared confounded, dropping curtsey after curtsey as he entered the house — but not the chamber of the dead, lie paused at the foot of the stairs, and to the intinite amazement of the two women, gave his land- lady five guineas more, saying — *'l shall return to-morrow. Let everything be ready by the day after;" and without another word, he left the house. 72 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. CHAPTER V. Wi commenced our tale in the county of Corn- wall — we begin this chapter in the county of Dorset, in tlie latter part of a very cold October, some four years, or rather more, from the time that our story opened. Six or seven i),ik»s from Axminster, and four or five from the romantically situated, but then insignificant village of Char.nouth, is an extensive, at least it was in 178 — , tract of uncultivated land — in fact, a common or moor, without a single habitation on it. On the north it was bounded THE YOUNG COMMANDEa. 7 3 by some well-cultivated land ; on the south by the high and picturesque hilLi above Charrnouth. It was about three o'clock in the afternoon, and a cold cutting east wind swept across tho moor, on which nothing grew, if we except patches of parched grass, some tall ferns, and low furze bushes. There were two deep hollows or dells, some distance one from the other, that stretched across the moor in a zigzag direction ; down in these dells the grass was of a Iresher colour, and a few wild flowers and wild strawberries in the season flourished under shelter from the cold winds. At the bottom of one of these dells, was a low tent, or rather a large old sail spread over some hoops, and pegged to the ground ; a very sombre looking donkey was standing near this tent ; his long ears bent back and his head droop- ing ; he looked as if he were sleeping or I uricd in profound thought, from which he suddenly roused himself, fro;n some unknown cause, VOL. I. K 74 THE YOUNO COMMANDER. and pricking up Lis ears, all at once, broke out into one of those terribly prolonged brayings, so utterly at variance with the harmony of sound, that it brought its owner out from beneath the tent, with a stout stick in his hand, with which he commenced belabouring the unfortunate musician with might and main ; thereby proving whatever his profession might be, that he was not an admirer of unearthly sounds. Neither liking the blows or the curses he received, this most useful, but in general most ill-used animal, got out of the way as fast as he could. The man then climbed to the summit of the dell, and cast a glance across the moor towards Charmouth. The person who had thus rudely evinced his dislike to discordant sounds, was a tall power- ful man, of some three or four and thirty years, his face, at least, all you could see of it, for though the rage for beards did not then exist as at present, was nearly hidden in a mass of black whiskers and beard; thercst of his features were concealed by a thick coat of either soot THE YOUNG COMMANDKR. 76 or some other equally efficacious substance for darkeuing the coiiiplexiou. His features were well formed, though what wilh tlie beard and the soot, and the bushy eyebrows, be had a raost savage appearance. Ho was evidently a travelling tinker, wore a greasy leather apron, an equally unsightly cap, and thick leather gaiters. Putting his hands before his eyes ho looked across the moor. '' Ha !" he muttered, '^ the imp ! he's com- ing at last. I'll teach him to be nimble, before I've done with him. Confound him, I have had a lot of trouble and risk with him, and no pay as yet; but I will not stand this much longer, for I must got out of this country." As he muttered these words, a young boj about seven years old was seen running across the common towards him with something under his arm. The boy was miserably clad, and mirerably thin, and yet it was impossible, not- withstanding his bare feet, tattereJ garments, R 3 76 THE YOUNG COMMANDKR. and sooty coloured skin, not to be struck with his little figure, the singular beauty of his features, and the glossy dark brown curls, that clustered round his head and down on his shoulders, for covering on the head he had none. The poor boy had a large bottle under one arm and a brown paper parcel under the other, lie looked up as he approached the man with his large bright hazel eyes. lie could see by the dark scowl on his face, that a storm was brewing, in fact, ready to burst upon his head, yet he came up close to him without a show of fear, and handed the bottle and the parcel. " You cursed lazy young hound, three hours going scarcely nine miles," fiercely exclaimed the tall ruffian. " Take that, and let it teach you to stir your stumps another time." And with the back of his hand the brute struck the child a blow across the face, that tumbled him over on the ground and caused the blood to flow in a torrent from his nostrils. THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 77 The child rose up without a cr}- or a tear, though he staggered from weakness. The man's countenance underwent a strange change; he looked at the child, and muttered : ^' What a cursed brute I'm growing." And taking a piece of coarse bread from his pocket, gave it to the silent sufferer, who was wiping the blood and soot from his face, there- by leaving his fair soft complexion to be seen in contrast with the rest of his soiled skin. ^^ Did you see Bill ?" demanded the man. *'Yes," returned the boy. ^' lie is coming across the moor." *^ Well, go look after the donkey, and don*t come back till sun-set." So saying the man descended into the hollow and dived beneath the tent. The child stood for a moment, with the coarse lump of bread in his hand. lie had not eaten anything that day. The tears came into his eyes as ho gazed^ wistfully across the common; the cutting wind, piercing through 75 THE TOUNG COMMANDHR. his thin and iiiiRcrable garments. Young as be wa8, misery and ill-troatment bad acted upon bim like years, tlic child thought and reflected like a boy of ten or twelve years old. " I will run away,'' he murmured. " I beard them say I am not their child. I never thought I was. I must bavo dreamed that I once was in a fine house, for I see it always when I shut my eyes, and bad a papa — or I dreamed that too." As he spoke, he saw the form of a man coming across the moor. **That is that brute Bill," ho muttered with a sigh, and then plunged into the hollow, and hiding himself behind a furze, he watched the man. Bill, a tinker also in appearance, as he entered beneath the awning, and then creeping cautiously and noiselessly forward, be got quite close to the back of the tent, and putting bis ear to a split in the canvass, listened eagerly for nearly a quartcr-of-an-hour ; be then crawled as cauti- ously away, till be bad placed some furze THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 79 bushes between him and the tent. Getting upon his h'gs, he climbed up the bank, run swittly across the moor till he reached the other dell ; into this he plunged. It was now nearly three o'clock. Along this winding hollow the child continued to run lor more than a mile and a half, till he reached a cross road. There were still three miles ot* common, or rather hollow patches of ground ; some signs of cultivation, however, and a few scattered farm houses, and several flocks of sheep feeding on the short but sweet pasturage. The boy looked about him, and saw a shep- herd, and a curly-hairy-looking dog without a tail, sitting on the side of a bank near him, eating a huge slice of cheese and bread, and the dog, eying him with considerable anxiety. The boy walked up to the shepherd, notwith- standing that the dog without the tail made a rush at him — but the child stood his ground, and the shepherd called back his dog. 80 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. ** Please, sir," said the boy, *^ how many miles be it to Bridport ?" *' Well, my little lad, it be nigh seven; be ye going there ?'' " Yes, sir, I be ; and does yon cross road lead into the great road, the one where the coaches do go to Lyme on ?'' ** That be the very road, lad ; but, stay a bit, and take a piece of this cheese. It will do you good, my lad." And so saying, the man, good naturedly, cut off a huge slice of bread and cheese, which he handed to the boy, who, with tears in bis eyes, thanking the shepherd from his little heart, pursued his way along the cross road, till a fine clear spring of water running into a pool attracted his attention. Here he sat down, ate his bread and cheese, and, after drink- ing of the clear, pure water, proceeded to wash and cleanse his face, neck, and hands, a pro- ceeding he dared not yenture upon when with THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 81 the tinker and his wife, under the fear of a terrible beating. Without soap, it was not very easy to get off the thick coat of soot and stain rubbed on his face and neck, but he marvellously improved the appearance of his features. By this time, the sun was setting, but from where he stood, he could plainly perceive, in the vale below, the town of Bridport, with the river Brit running through the vale, and by the town, and rising up against the darkening sky, the square tower of St. Mary's. Before him, also, was the turnpike road from Bridport to Lyme Eegis and Axminster. Looking about him, in search of a sheltered place, from which he could clearly observe everything that passed, he saw a low broken wall, with a thick covering of ivy, and through the broken gaps he could watch the road. Having ensconced himself to his liking he lay down, and, with patient perseverance, kept watching everything that passed on the road. £ b 82 THK YOUNG COMMANDER. A few labourers, several carts, a waggon or so passed, before it became dark ; these did not attract the boy's attention. Presently the stars shone out clear and bright, and the cold in- creased, still the young child watched ; anon the tramp of horses and the roll of wheels reached his ear, coming up the steep hill from the town, and then the lamps of a stage coach caught his attention, and the heavy six-inside stage coach from Dorchester, through Lyme Eegis to Axminster came slowly along, the horses encircled in a mist, from their own backs, and the stout coachman encouraging them with whip and voice. The top of the hill gained, the coachman coaxed his steeds into a trut, and they vanished from the sight of the lonely child. Gentle reader, we must, for a few pages, leave the poor boy to his solitary watch, and follow the Dorchester stage in its journey to Lyme Regis. Inside weie stowed — we say stowed — be- THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 8i cause, in sooth, the iuterior of the old coach, notwithstanding its ponderosity, was little cal- culated to hold the six individuals it held that night. With their backs to the horses, occupy- ing the corners, were two worthy and remark- ably stout spinsters, on the wrong side of forty, both respectable lodging-house-keepers at Lyme Eegis. In fact, the seat was well filled by them alone, but, unfortunately, just as the coach was starting from Bridport, the wife of the principal butcher at Axminster became a candidate for the sixth seat, which was between the two spinsters. Fortunately the horses had their backs to this new passenger, or they must have felt horrified, for good Mrs. Jos Burfat was the stoutest woman in Dorsetshire, and that's say- ing much ; she acknowledged to eighteen stone, and the said jolly lady, with a basket and a bnndle, which she would, on no account, let out of her hands, forced her way in at the door, with the aid of the stout coachman, who put 84 THE TOUXG COMMANDER. his back against hers to assist her ascent, and forthwith dropped her between the two unfor- tunate spinsters ; whether she reached the seat, or supported herself on the hips of the two corners, we know not, but a deep groan issued from their lips, as Mrs. Jos Burfat, who seemed quite comfortable, said, in a bland, oily tone of voice — " I hope I doesnt hincommode you, ma' am, we shall all get quite comfortable, after we gets a shake or two.'' The two spinsters could only sigh, and off started the coach. On the opposite seat sat three gentlemen, so we must, at all events, call them. In the right hand corner was a Mr. Parks, a lawyer of considerable practice and experience, residing in a handsome villa, within a couple of miles of Lyme. He had come down from Loudon to Bridport, by mail, but having some business there, that occupied him an hour or so, he lost the mail, and being anxious to get home that night, took a place THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 86 in the '* Heavy Axminster." Next Mr. Parks sat a young gentleman, elaborately dressed, in the height of the fashion, with a profusion of jewelry on his hands and person, who talked a great deal after the coach started, about Lon- don, the theatres, balls, operas, &c. Stating that, tired of dissipation, he had made up his mind to lead a rural sea-side kind of life, and was going to Lyme, and thence to Charmouth ; the latter place, he understood, was remarkably salubrious, retired, and picturesque. All this conversation was addressed to every body inside the coach, and replied to by none ; next this young gentleman was a tall man, entirely enveloped in an immense military mantle — the collar buttoned close round his face, leaving only the eyes visible, and as the night set in, on quitting the ^^ Bell" yard, at Bridport, the said eyes also became invisible, whilst not a word proceeded from this passengers lips. The young gentleman with the jewelry finding he had all the conversation to himself, 86 IHE TOUNG COMMANDER. became silent. The three females were silent also, from various causes. Mrs. Jos Burfat was calculating the gross profits arising from a speculation she had made that day. The two spinsters were calculating between the inter- vals of suffocation they endured from Mrs. Jos, whether it would not be possible to induce the young gentleman opposite, to try the sea breeze of Lyme, instead of Charmouth, this latter place was not, at that time, a rival " watering place.'' Fortunately for the spinsters, the distance from Bridport to Lyme Eegis was only ten miles or so, which distance the *' Heavy Axminster could comfortably perform in throe hours, or thereabouts. But just as ^the ^coach reached the bottom of a hill, and was ascending another, it suddenly began to stop, and several loud voices were audible, and some deep curses and imprecations hurled at the coachman. One loud clear voice was distinctly heard, saying— THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 87 ** Pull up, or by I'll blow your brains out." '^ Ob, Lord a mercy upon us," screamed the two spinsters. '^ Robbers ! We shall be robbed and murdered." *^ Mercy on me," exclaimed Mrs. Jos Burfat, " Pm a ruined woman." At the word robbers, the tall silent gentle- man, in the corner, sat bolt up right, and all inside could hear the click of a pistol lock, as he pulled one out from beneath his mantle. Mr. Parks very quietly put his hand into his pocket, perfectly resigned to give up its con- tents, which, probably only amounted to a few pounds. During these proceedings, which occupied but a few seconds, the coach came to a full stop, the door was rudely pulled open, and a tall, strong man, with the coach lamp in his hand, his face covered with black crape, and his person by a long carters frock, ap- peared at the door ; behind him were three 88 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. others, similarly digguigod, and each held a horse pistol in their hands. The gentleman in the mantle drew back the pistol, when he saw the odds he had to contend with, but the women screamed murder and all sorts of things. ^^ Silence, you bedlamites, with your yells," said the highwayman, '* make no words, but hand over your purses and rings, and no harm will come to you." As he spoke the man put a foot upon the step and held up the open lamp, the light, as he did so, flashing on the features of the stran- ger in the mantle, whose collar had fallen back. " Ila, by is it you," exclaimed the robber, in a tone of intense surprise, " come, jump out, I must speak with you. Here, Jem, levy contributions, and see you turn their pockets inside out. No skulking or hiding your purses or it will be worse for you all." THE YOUNO COMMANDER. 89 The man in the mantle appeared electrified, but he jumped out at once ; as he did so, Mr. Parks, with all a lawyer's sagacity, having heard the words, cast a keen glance at his face and figure by the light of the coach-lamp. Another of the highwaymen entered the coach, and with a coarse, brutal oath, told the in- mates to be quick, or he'd search them in a way they would not like. Mr. Parks delivered his purse and watch. The young Londoner whis- pered something in the robber's ear, who burst into a loud laugh, saying with a hideous oath — " No go, young man. Don't acknowledge the fraternity ; so hand out and off with those pretty sparklers, if they are not shams." ** Curse you !" muttered the young man, ** hold your tongue — take what I have, and the devil do you good with it." ** Ha, ha, ha," laughed the robber, pocketing the contribution, and turning to Mrs. Jos. " Now, Mrs. Tallow." ** Lord a mercy, sir. You would not sure ?" 90 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. ** Come, no jaw, missus. You're fat enough to molt anyhow. What's in your basket ?" While the highwaymen plundered the inside and outside passengers, the stranger in the man- tle, after jumping out of the coach, stepped aside with the tall robber who had first appeared at the coach door. ^^ How is this r" said the highwayman to the stranger, '^that I find you here? Why am I treated with such neglect. You seem to forget our contract, and the peril you incur by treating my repeated " *^ Nonsense I" interrupted the stranger ; " this is idle talk. My situation is worse than yours. After your exclamation I cannot go back into the coach, nor proceed to Lyme. There is a lawyer named Parks inside, so let the stage proceed. 1 have no luggage, and I will walk on to Charmouth with you, and a few words will convince you you wrong me ; besides, you must have been mad to have en- gaged in this highway robbery.'' TUE YOUNO COMMANDEfi. 91 *^ Tut," replied the robber, " a man must live; *^ but stay where you are, I will be back in a minute. T cannot give you more than half an hour, for I have a better job on hands than this. I wished those rascals not to meddle with the stage; but the devil himself could not manage these fellows at times." So saying, the robber joined his comrades, and in less than five minutes the old stage was rumbling away as fast as the astounded driver could urge the horses ; and, like magic, the robbers themselves disappeared, leaving the stranger and the principal highwayman toge- ther. We return to the little boy we left watch- ing behind the wall upon the summit of the hill above Bridport. Abcut an hour after the passing of the heavy Axminster stage, the little fellow agaiu per- ceiving two brilliant lights coming up the hill jumped up and ran out upon the road. Pre" sently the two lights came close to him ; they 92 TlIE YOUNG COMMANDER. were the lamps of a handsome gig, in which sat a gentleman buttoned up in a great coat, and by his side a groom in livery. The horse was a splendid, high spirited animal, and seeing the boy in the middle of the road before his master did, he snorted and stood stock still. ** Ilallo ! what's the matter, Bess, what's the matter ?" said a fine mellow voice from the gig ; ** what do you see, old girl ?" Just then, as the groom was getting down, the child came to the side of the gig, with the light of the lamp playing full upon his inter- esting, handsome face. " Please, sir," said the child, in his sweet - toned voice, ^^ will you stop ?" The gentleman checked the horse, who was again going on, and, looking with extreme surprise down into the boy's face, said — " Well, my poor little fellow, what is the matter? how comes it you are out at this hour, and so cold a night ? William,'' he added, turning to his groom, ^* give the child. THE TOUNG COJdMAKDER. 93 God help it, a shilling, I cannot get my hand in my pocket." '^ Oh, sir," said the child, ^' I don't want to beg — is your name Mr. Bond, please, sir ?" *^By Jove, it is, my little fellow," returned Mr. Bond, surprised ; " what then ?" ''Please, sir^ don't go home through * Grange IIoUow ;' there be seven men, with their faces blackened, awaiting there to rob you, and kill your horse." '' Hallo, the devil they will — by Jove, that's serious. Help the little fellow up here, Wil- liam. What a handsome child it is. I must hear more of this. Are you alone, child ?" said Mr. Bond. '' Yes, sir, I be quite alone — neither father or mother." '' Lord, sir," said the groom, as he lifted the boy up, ''I wanted your worship to bring fire-arms ; they do say there are a lot of bad ones hiding about Charmouth cliiBTs. We shall be shot down like ducks." 94 THE YOUNG COMMINDER. *^ Faith, I hope not, William," said Mr. Bond, with a laugh ; '* I have nothing of the duck in my nature, being neither feathered or web-footed, and no more idea of swimming than a stone. Now, my poor little fellow," continued Mr. Bond, in a very kind tone, and, taking the child's cold hand in his, after hand- ing the reins to the groom, ^* tell me who you are, and all about these rascals with the black faces- Now, do not be frightened — we are good six miles and more from Grange Hollow." ^* I'm not frightened, sir," said the child, *' I be not afraid of anything." *^ By Jove, a fine little fellow, William," said Mr. Bond, putting the skirts of his great coat round the child. ^'Now tell me all you know." The boy, in his own way, told his little story : he said lie was cruelly treated by a tinker, known by the name of Black George — that there was a gang of them in different places about the country ; and that that morn- THB YODNQ COMMANDER. 96 iDg bo had listened at Black George's tent, and heard him and a tinker, called Larking Bill, settling how they would stop and rob a Mr. Bond, by shooting his horse ; that they had a spy on Mr. Bond's movements, and knew ho was to leave Bridport at nine o'clock at night, and that he had a very large sum of money with him ; they were seven in number, and they were to blacken their faces, and wear long carter's frocks ; and he overheard the tinker " George" say to his wife, that he was to have a great sum of money for taking him (the child) out of the country. This narrative was only got out of the little fellow by repeated questioning by Mr. Bond, who became greatly interested. It was diffi- cult also to comprehend the child — for, not- withstanding he was full seven years old, he seemed much at a loss for words to express his meaning. " Had we not better return to Bridport fur the night, sir?" said the groom. 96 TIIE YOUNO COMMANDER. *^ You arc easily frightened, William," said Mr. Bond; ^' I shall have your mistress in a fever by such a proceeding. These rascals have been skulking about this part of the country for some time, and eiscaping detection by passing themselves off as gipsy tinkers ; but I'll ferret them out to-morrow ; I will take care of this little fellow ; he shall not go back to those rascals again ; he has been stolen, no doubt, from some respectable persons, for there never was so handsome and fair a face belong- ing to gipsy tinkers' brats." He could hear the poor boy sob, as he kissed his hand. Patting him on the head, he made him lie down on the rug, and the groom covered him over with the horse-cloth. ^* What's your name, little fellow ?" ^^ Harry, sir," said the boy, as he lay down. ^' Ha ! by Jupiter, my own name. There's a cross road within a mile or two of this," said Mr. Bond, ^' it's a rough one, to be sure, but it will take us below the village of Char- THE YOUNG COMMANDEK. 97 mouth, across the ford, and thus we can reach home without going near Grange Hollow — it's four miles round, to be sure, but I would not for fifty have Bess shot at." ^' If you reach Charmouth in time, sir," said the groom, '^ you could send out some constables, and block up both ends of Grange Hollow, and catch the highwaymen." '' The first shot," said Mr. Bond, '' would send the Charmouth constables running like a pack of beagles. I remember too well the way they left me when hunting up the gang of of smugglers from the cliffs." So saying, Mr. Bond drove on, while the child, tired and worn out, fell asleep at his feet. They soon reached the cross road, down which Mr. Bond turned his horse. It was in truth a very indifferent one, like all the Dorsetshire cross roads, extremely nar- row with high hedges and deep ruts, enough to break the springs of any vehicle. Neverthe- VOL. I. F r b THE YOUNG COMMANDER. less Mr. Bond surmounted all the difficulties of the way, und crossing the ford of the Char he continued his route up another road, till he finally got out on the main road, within a mile or two of his own mansion, which was beauti- fully situated on a gently rising ground half-a- mile from the sea, and within a mile or so of the town of Lyme Eegis. The gig, at length, drew up before a very handsome lodge gate, with a remarkably pretty Swiss Cottage hid in a cluster of evergreens near it. A woman of some five or six and thirty years of age, neat and highly respecta- ble in her person and attire, came out to open the gate. " Well, Mrs. Horn, here we are safe and sound a couple of hours behind time." *' liless me, sir !" exclaimed the gate-keep- er's wife. " Bless me, wliat rain and roads you must have had,'' eyeing the mud-covered wheels with great surprise, '' sve've not had a of rain here.'' THK YOUNG COM . ANDLR. 99 ^'Byjove, nor we either, Mrg. lloru— uow come round to this side with your light for my lamp is out ; I have got something hero under the rug I want you to take charge of for the night. Now AViliiam lift him out, poor little thing he is fast asleep." Mrs. Horn looked the picture of astonish- ment when she beheld the form of the misera- bly clothed child, who looked up, as the groom lifted him out of the gig, but Mrs. Horn's light falling on the s\\ eet expressive countenance, she exclaimed — ^' Law, sir, what a nice pretty child — how thin it is." '* Ah, we'll soon fatten him, Mrs. Horn. Now my poor child, go with this kind good wo.jan, she will give you some supper and a good bed, and to-morrow I will have you up to the house." The tears flowed from the boy's eyes at tho words of kindness addressed to him, and kiss- 100 THE YOUNG C0:MM>NDEII. ing his benefactor's band repeatedly, be followed Mrs. Horn into tbo cottage. " Dress him in your son William's garments, Mrs. Horn," said Mr. Bond as he was driving off, *^ they are much of the same ago, though this little fellow is tall and thin." Mr. Horn, the husband of the gate-keeper, w^as Mr. Bond's game-keeper, he was then walking the preserves. Mr. Bond drove on up a long surpentine avenue, bordered on one side by tall trees and evergreens, with the bright calm sea lying before them, just then becoming visible from the light of the moon at that moment rising from its occean bed, and shortly after drew up before the front of a very extensive and handsome modern man- sion. THE YOUNG COMMAJ^DER. 101 CHAPTEE Y. Henry Edgar Bond Esq., the gentleman who so benevolently took charge of the boy, as re- lated in our last chapter, was of a very old aristocratic Dorsetshire family. Early in life this gentleman, whose property and influence were considerable in his native county, mar- ried the only daughter of Sir Henry Claude Tregannon, father to the late baronet, whose untimely and terrible death we have recorded. Thus through a singular combination of cir- cumstances, under the directing hand of Pro- 102 THE YOUNG COMMANDEK. vidence, the lost child and heir of the unl'ortuuatc Baronet, was actually taken under the prutection and even the roof of his aunt's husband, for, no doubt, our readers have surmized, that the poor boy so cruelly treated, and so miserably clad and fed, was no other than the lost heir of Tregannon. Though a most amiable and lovely girl, Mrs. Bond, before her marriage, was never a favour- ite with her eccentric and strange brother. Nevertheless she was fondly attached to him, pitying his nervous temperament, and his bodily infirmities ; but from the day of her marriage with Mr. Bond all intercourse had ceased between them. Mr. Bond first met Miss Tregannon in De- vonshire, where she was passing the Christmas. At that time he was a very handsome, high- spirited young man, and was shooting, in the season, at a friend's house near where Miss Tregannon was staying ; they met frequently, and as young people will do, fell in love with THE TOUXa COMMANDER. 103 each other. Mr. Bond, whose station in society was unquestionable, and whose fortune ren- dered him a most desirable match^ considered that he had nothing to do, but, as a matter of courtesy, ask the lady's hand of her brother, she being of age, and quite independent. To his extreme surprise. Sir Ucnry Tro- gannon declined giving his consent, saying — " All the Dorsetshire gentlemen spend their fortunes on dogs and horses." Mr. Bond was too good tempered to be vexed, and too much in love to trouble himself mucti about the Baronet's conduct, especially as the lady only required him to make a formal pro- posal for her hand to her brother as the head of the family, but was quite determined, as she knew her heart was well disposed of to follow its dictates, whether her brother gave his con- sent or not. They were, therefore, married, and Mr. Bond returned to his beautiful seat of Grange Ilouse, Dorsetshire, with his lovely and accomplished bride. 104 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. Sir Ilcnry never spoke to, or returned even an answer to any of his sister's letters after that event. The young couple lived most happily — the only drawback they experienced to their felicity was that they had no children, and they both loved children in their hearts. At the time Mr. Bond so strangely and providentially stumbled on little Ilarry, they had both passed the period of youth, and abandoned all hope of any offspring. This was the more tantalizing as in default of male heir — his estates would go to his only male relative, a man of a most revengeful disposition, a cousin, unmarried, and a miser. Mr. Bond had it in his power, however, to will a considerable property to whom he pleased ; for he did not at any time spend much more than the half of his income, which exceeded five thousand pounds a year. At the period of young Harry's introduction to Grange House, Mr. Bond was in his forty- fourth year, his lady three years younger. THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 105 He was still a handsome man, above the middle height, strongly built — with fair hair, blue eyes, and fine rudy complexion ; and so tem- perate were his habits, and robust his constitu- tion, that he did not look more than six and thirty. No sorrow had ever troubled his life — there- fore no wrinkle furrowed his brow, or tinged his hair with grey. He was a magistrate, kind and benevolent to the poor, and a most indulgent landlord. Upon poachers, being a thorough sportsman, he was, perhaps, rather severe. He kept the best pack of hounds within thirty miles, and rode the best hunters ; as he advanced in life he rode thirteen stone, and yet there was scarcely a fence in the country would stop him. He was also fond of the sea — kept a remarkably fast yacht, of some fifty odd tons, in the harbour of Lyme Eegis, and was considered by the club to be a first rate yachtsman, and not a bad sailor. He kept a good deal of company ; never drank to F 5 106 THE TOUNQ COMMANDER. excess — rose early, and lived well. To add to his other qualifications — he was a steady staunch Church of England supporter, and had a great aversion to disenters of all kinds and denominations. He was often earnestly en- treated, by his numerous friends and others, to btand for the Borough of Bridport, but he had not the slightest ambition, and declined putting himself out of the way to oblige a party, though in all other matters he was a most generous friend and patron. Before daylight next morning, for Mr. Bond was a most zealous and active magistrate, he despatched a party of resolute constables to scour the country in search of the gang of liigh- waymen — disguised as gipsy tinkers. Conversing over his last night's adventure whilst at breakfast, Mrs. Bond became anxious to see the little boy. Theiv tele- d-/cle was in- terrupted by a constable gallopping up the avenue to the front door, requesting to sec Mr. Bond. THK YOUNG COMMANDER. 10"i " Shew him into my study, James," said the magistrate, to his servant. " There's been pretty work, your worship," said the constable to Mr. Bond, on entering the study, *^ the rascals have had the haivdacity to attack the Axminster stage last night, your honour." ^^ Oh I the deuce they have," said Mr. Bond. "Yes, your honour; and by gosh they stripped the six inside passengers of every copper they bad. Your honour's friend, lawyer Parks, was inside, and lost his purse and watch, and v/orthy Mrs. Burfat, of Ax- minster, was robbed of forty -four pounds, odd shillings. The men hud their faces blackened, aud wore smock-frocks." *' By Jove, this is serious. Did you pick up any suspicious characters this ii;orning, Mr. Jones ?" "Yes, your worship, we secured three tra- velling tinkers, encamped near * Grange llol- 108 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. low/ and two others near Charmouth ; but do you kuow they only laughed at us for taking them for highwaymen." ^^"What have you done with them, Jones? Found anything on them suspicious ?" '^ Two pence three farthings on one, your worship, and about three shillings on another, but nothing else. We have lodged them in our lock-up, waiting you presence and Mr. Parks^s, and a young gentleman who came in the Axminster stage — but we can't find this one nowhere, though we searched all the inns and lodging-houses in Lyme. Mr. Parks says as how he was a suspicious character." '^ Well, Jones, go back, and tell Mr. Parks I will be in Lyme in half an hour." Ten minutes afterwards Mr. Bond was gal- lopping down the avenue. On reaching the head- inn, fresh intelligence had arrived. A Mr. Stephens, coming home in his gig from Bridport, in passing through Grange Hollow, THR YOUNG COMMANDER. 109 had his horse shot, aud himself robbed ; and ho said that one of the men swore a fierce oath, saying, * By , this is not Bond after all.' " "Well, by Jove," muttered Mr. Bond, ''I owe, if not my life, eight hundred pounds to the little fellow's information." Mrs. Bond being extremely anxious to see the young child, both from the account her husband had given her of his interesting and handsome countenance, and also feeling under an obligation to the little fellow for the service he had rendered, sent her favorite personal attendant, Hannah, to the lodge to bring him up to the house. Mrs. Horn, the gamekeeper's good-natured wife, had taken considerable pains with the child, not only from her own naturally good disposition, but from the account AVilliam the groom gave her the following morning of the child's conduct the preceding night, saving them from being robbed, and his master's favo- rite horse from being shot. The first process was to subject her charge to a most vigorous scrub- 110 THE TOUNO COMMAin)KR. bing. The beauty and fairness of his skin Burprised her^ and so great was the change, that she scarcelj recognised him. William, who came down to the lodge early, was in rap- tures with the boy, vowed his master would make a gentleman of him, and that he would teach him to cross a ditch or a fence with the best man in the county. The child said, with a smile, he could get over any fence or ditch. "Ah!" said the groom, ** no doubt. The rascals that stole you made you go through fences to steal fowls." He shook his fist, and in a paroxysm of valour clenched his hand, wish- ing he had a grip of two or three of them. The boy was finished being dressed in a suit of the gamekeeper's son's garments, for which act of generosity on the part of Mrs. Horn, her son roared loudly and kicked vigorously, shak- ing his little fist furiously at Harry for thus figuring in his Sunday suit. For this expres- sion of his indignation he received a smart box THE TO UyO COMMANDER. Ill on the ear, which rather increased the roaring, but stopped the kicking. In the midst of this scene in walked Mrs. Bond's maid, Ilannah. This young woman — and a very good-looking young woman she was — about eighteen years of age — was perhaps the only person in Mrs. Bond's serWce, who would look upon the child, if brought into the mansion to live, with a cer- tain sort of dislike. This did not proceed from ill nature, or a bad disposition — for, in truth, Ilannah was in general a very good-tempered and well-disposed person. She was a great favourite with her mistress, who received her into her service at the age of fourteen. Mrs. Bond differed from many married ladies not blessed with children. She kept neither a pet spaniel, pug or poodle, bu: she dearly loved children. When Ilannah, therefore, beheld the strik- ingly beautiful boy, thus strangely to bo intro- 1 1 2 THE YOUNG COifMANDER, duccd into the family, her heart fluttered with a feeling something akin to aversion — for it told her that that lovely child, with its magni- ficent eyes, and soft pensivo look, his beautiful white broad forehead, with the rich cluster of curls, of a dark auburn, encircling it, would become a prodigious favourite — in fact, com- pletely put her into the back ground, or to be only a second favourite, and perhaps be appointed to attend on the little stranger. There was nothing very contrary to human nature in the little feeling of envy that, for a moment, took possession of Hannah's heart. '^ Well, Miss Hannah,'' said Mrs. Horn, with really a feeling of pride at her own handy work, ^'what do you think of this dear little fellow ? isn't he a real beauty ? I'm very sure he's some gentleman's child, stolen away by those shocking vagrants, the gipsy tinkers." " Law," said Hannah, ^' I don't see why poor people should not have as handsome chil- TIIR TOUNQ COMMANDER. 113 dren as rich — or why their skins should not be as white. lie's a very well looking boy, no doubt ; so is your John, Mrs. Horn." ** I'm much obliged to you, Miss Hannah, for thinking so," said the gamekeeper's wife ; " but, indeed, this is a mighty pretty child ; and when he gets a little flesh, you won't know him." ** Well, people will take fancies, Mrs. Horn," said the lady's maid ; '^ and I dare say my mis- tress will make a page of this little fellow — he will do very well for that station in two or three years. It's very strange," she continued, looking at the child, whose soft, winning eyes were fixed upon hers with so much sweetness and good nature, that they quite softened Hannah's heart. *' What's strange, Miss Hannah?" asked William, the groom, taking the boy by the hand to lead him up to the house. " Why," resumed the girl, " the more I look at him, I fancy I havo seen some one very 114 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. like him about the eyes. What does he say his name is, Mrs. llorn ?" ^' Harry, he calls himself," she replied. "By gummcrs, Miss llanuah,'' said the groom, " talking of who he's like. He has the same eyes and nose, I'm blessed if he hasn't, as our missus." "Well, there's no use one staying here guessing who he's like," said the maid. " T will take him up at once. My good lady is anxious to see him ; so come along with me, Ilarry." The boy gave his hand readily to the girl, but first threw his arms round Mrs. Horn's neck, and kissed her most affectionately. "He is a dear little fellow, be he who he may," said good Mrs. Horn, kissing him, and telling him to come and see her every day, and play with her little John. Taking him by the hand, Hannah led the boy up the serpentime avenue to the mansion. There was a resemblance in some respects in THE YOUNG COMMANDER. ] 1 5 the lawn, the lofty trees and the shrubbery of evergreens on the side of Grange House to that of Tregannon. To be sure, instead of the lawn being bounded by the narrow waters of the Fal, the wide open expanse of sea, lay stretched out in glorious beauty before Grange house. As the boy walked up the avenue, he looked often about him, with a strange, pensive, en- quiring look ; gradually the tears came into his eyes, as if some chord in his young memory was suddenly struck. Hannah looked into the child's face and seeing the tears streaming down his cheks, said in a tone of surprise : " What on earth are you crying for, little boy ?" ''Don't know, ma'am," said the child — He tried to say something more as if to embody, perhaps, the flash of memory like a meteor dashing through his little brain, but he wanted words. It seemed as if his power of 116 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. speech in infancy had been rudely checked, or injured through fear or suffering, for at times his language was strange and unintelligible. In a few minutes they reached the house, and leading the wondering child through the great hall, she opened the parlour-door, and led the boy into the room where Mrs. Bond sat reading before a bright sea-coal fire. As the boy advanced into the room, Mrs. Bond laid aside her book, and looked up into the child's face, and as she did so, she exclaimed with a heightened colour — ^* God bless me, Hannah, is this the boy I It's scarcely possible — and yet — what a striking resemblance. Come here, my dear child.'' Getting up, with a good deal of agita- tion in her manner, she took the surprised child by the hand, and sitting down pushed the curling hair from his forehead, gazed long and anxiously into his face, till the tears came THE YOUKQ COMMANDER. 1 1 7 into her own eyes, and stooping down she kissed the boy, saying to the wondering Ilannah — " This is no delusion, I cannot be deceived. The likeness is too remarkable, infinitely too great to be the effect of chance, or a caprice of nature. Go up stairs, Hannah, and in my casket you will see two miniature cases, bring them down." As Hannah left the room, Mrs. Bond car- ressed the child to re-assure him for his eyes wandered strangely and enquiringly round the room ; the handsome furniture, the costly decorations, even the elegant attire of Mrs. Bond herself seemed to excite some new and strange feeling in his breast. ^Irs. Bond thought the child felt an awe of her and the things about him, but such was not the case ; it was his memory, struggling through the cloud of years of suffering and neglect. It was a yision of the past, recalled by the sight of the things surrounding him, now lirst 118 TITB YOrNG COMMANDER. brought before bis sigbt since the period of his abduction. The spell was on his young heart, and it held him as it were entranced. ^*My poor child," said Mrs. Bond, *' you are very thin ; do you know how old you are ?" ^^ Old,'' repeated the boy, with a look of sur- prise, and then shaking his little head, he replied : '^ no ma'am." "Do you know what a year is?" ** Yes, ma'am ; winter and summer, is a year." ** How many winters, my child, do you re- member since you were taken to live with those bad people." The child seemed to shrink, and he repeated *^ winters," and then with the tears in his eyes, he looked into the fine intellectual features of Mrs. Bond, saying — " It was always winter to me, ma'am." Just then Ilannah returned with the two miniature cases, and handed them to her mis- THE TOrXG COMWANDEE. 119 tress. Opcniog one of them with a little ner- vous agitation, ^Irs. Bond said — *• This is a striking likeness of my poor brother, at the age of sixteen. The other drawn about twelve months before his melan- choly death." ^^ Lord a mercy, ma'am," exclaimed Ilannah, with a start as her gaze rested on the exposed miniatures, *' it's the very image of this child, the same eyes, the same hair, and the same sad expression of countenance." " Yes," said Mrs. Bond, in a low sad tone of voice. '^ My heart surely has not deceived me ; this boy is my illfated brother's child. Notwithstanding, it appears incredible. Such a perfect likeness in a mere stranger is quite impossible ; besides, this child's age is the same to all appearance, and he is a stolen child. The body found, so mutilated, as to be only recog- nized by the garments, and buried as the heir of Tregannon was that of an impostor." While Mrs. Bond spoke, the child's eyes were never taken off the miniature, but 120 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. the moment sho opened the case of the other miniature, the child beheld Sir Henry Claude Tregannon, attired in the dress he usually \\ ore, and one the boy was accustomed to see in his early infancy, ho exclaimed, clasping his hands passionately — ^^ Oh ! my papa ! my own papa !" And bursting into a flood of tears, he hid his face in Mrs. Bond's lap, sobbing loudly. That lady with a pale cheek looked at Hannah, and the astounded maid looked at her mistress. *^ Can there be any doubt now, Hannah," said Mrs. Bond, ** that child's memory was roused at the sight of his father's features. A father who doted on him, and who every day had the child to play for hours in his study." Thus in a moment was the happy past re- called to the cruelly illused child. Kissing his 'cheek fondly, Mrs. Bond strove to bring him still more alive to the past, but he wanted the power to express what he thought. Still she was quite satisfied she THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 12 L had found her lost nephew — nothing should ever shake her belief in that. Turning to Ilaunah, she said — ** This is a very strange and mysterious affair; till something more positive is dis- covered, I must request you will keep what you know a secret. I am sure I can trust you, my good girl, for I have had the experience of years in studying your character. This dear child I place under your care ; get a bed put up in your room for him, and when Mr. Bond returns, we will consult together, about this providentiul and most extraordinary dis- covery.'' *' You may depend on me, ma'am," said Hannah, wonderfully changed in opinion with respect to the child ; and seeing that her mistress was buried in deep thought, she took the boy with her, and before two hours had passed, had quite won his little heart by her kindness and attention. VOL. I. O 122 TIIK YOUNG COMMANDER. CIIAFrK"R VI. Jt was nearly six o'clock before Mr. Bond re- tuiiHH), ami with him came Mr. Parka, a friend- ship of long standing existingbetwceuthem. Mr. Bond had t^pent several hours on horseback with mounted constables, endeavouring to dis- cover some trace of the highwaymen ot the preceding night, but without success. Out of the five persons ea})tured by the constables, in the morning, not one could bo positively sworn to by any of the parties robbed, 'ihey were, howevtr, detained until they could THE YOUNG (^)MMANDKR. 123 be confronted with Mr. Stephens, the gentle - HVin whose horse was shot, and hinjself robbed and Diueh iiurt. During dinner nothing was said relative to the child, as Mrs. Bond did not wish to begin the conversation till the servants had retired, leaving them to their dessert and wine. '* Well, my dear," said Mr. Bond, ^' now that we are to ourselves, let me hear what your opinion is of my intended protege, I have quite interested our friend Parks about him, and were it not so late, I would have him down here ; his little handsome face so inter- ested me." Mrs. Bond, in a concise, but clear manner, related to her husbantl and Mr. Parks her interview with the child, and her own positive conviction that she had, under her roof, her own nephew, the heir of Tregannou. " God bless my soul, Kllen," exclaimed ^^Ir. Bond, in the greatest astonishment, " the child may have an extraordinary likeness to G o 124 TIIR YOUNC; COMMANDER. your poor brother, but it's quite impossible ; recollect your little nephew's body was found, recognized, and buried." *^ I differ with you there, friend Bond," said ^Ir. Parks, who had listened to Mrs. Bond with great attention, ^Mt's not at all impossible, it's extroardinary, certainly, but it happens that I was at Truro, concerned in that singular case of Admiral S 's claims to the Trefuses property, at the very time tlie unfortunate Sir Henry Claude Tregannon met his death, from accidentally taking, as it was said, an over dose of prussic acid. I felt particularly inter- ested, on hearing of that strange event, and the loss of the child at tliat period. There were four of us lawyers, at Truro, at the time, and though opposed to each other in the case of Admiral S s, we always dined together, and Sir Henry's strange death, and the loss of the child, engaged our attention and conver- sation. It also happened that Mr. Saunders, one of the four, was the very man employed in TUE YOUNG COMMANDER. 1 1*0 the forgery case against the Baronet's nephew — James Tregannon. As wo talked the matter over, it forcibly struck us all, that there was something very mysterious in the Baronet's death, as well as in the loss of the child. The body was not found at this time, you see," continued the lawyer, " but, 1 beg pardon, I am engrossing all the conversation." " Pray proceed, my good friend," said Mr Bond, " for you are interesting me much, and causing my thoughts to revert to the past. Let us hear what you and your brethren of the long robe thought and said." "The verdict of the coroner, you may re- member,^' resumed Mr. Parks, " was, that the Baronet died from " inadvertently takmg an over dose of prussic acid. Now, Mr. Saunders, who is considered one of the keenest and cleverest men in the profession, was decidedly of opinion that the unfortunate Sir Henry never could have inadvertently taken so power- fula dose of prussie acid, as to cause instaatauo- 126 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. ous death. Uc was in too habit, it seems, of taking one drop, for a troublesome cough. lie was well acquainted ^^ ith poisons, so great a dose as he must have taken, could not have been poured out drop-by drop, or he would, no matter how preoccupied his mind might hare been, liave discovered what he was about. If he took it for the purpose of terminating his existence, why that frightful shriek, that roused bis attendant and the rest of the family. Then again, the Baronet's own man, at first, said he heard his master's door shut, at least he thought so, as he hurried along the corridor, but he contradicted himself afterwards, saying it must have been his imagination, for it was im- possible such should be* the case. Another curious, though apparently trivial circumstance occurred. The stopper was in the crystal bottle that contained the prussic acid, and that stopper was a very peculiar one, and could not be put in like a cork." '' And to what conclusion," interrupted Mr. THE YOUNG COMMANDFR. 127 Bond, ^^ did these certainly somewhat singular circumstances lead you ?" ^' Why, one that will startle you, my good friend : that Sir Henry Tregannon neither took the poison inadvertently, or with t!;e iii- tion of ending his life. Recollect he could bave no motive in doing so. lie could not, in four and twenty hours, have given up all hope of recovering his child — hope still remained to him, as a more extensive and strict search was ordered for the following day. The liaro- net himself was known to express a firm con- viction that the child was stolen, not drowned." " Good Heavens !" exclaimed Mrs. liond, turning very pale, as some thought or other flittted through her. brain; ^^ you have quite upset all my previous ideas with respect to mj poor brother's death. You seem, my good friend, at least so 1 judge by your argument, to have an idea that my illfated brother m£t his death unfairly.'' ^^Such, my dear madam, was the decision 128 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. we all came to," said Mr. Parks. ^' In vaia we racked our braius to solve the mystery — we could not investigate the affair — we had no right, and immediately afterwards we were fully occupied in the important cause which had brought us together. Just before 1 left Truro, I heard that the body of the unfortunate child had been found. This gave rise to fresh surmises, but it appeared that though the gar- ments, etc., were easily recognisable, there was difficulty in identifying the body, the face and person were so mutilated by the action of the tides and by fishes and crabs, so when I left Truro and proceeded to London with my friend Saunders to finish our Law proceedings, I carried with me the conviction that the body found was not Sir Henry Tregannon's child. '^ When I returned home, I did not like to discuss this subject with you, my dear madam, as I could see no good would arise by doing so, but now what you say with respect to this child, my good friend here has taken so great THE TOUXG COMMANDER, 129 a fancy to, and which you seem so determined to consider your lost nephew, induces me again to resume the subject, and I must ask you '^ few questions, for you know during my ab- sence abroad I lost all trace, and indee 1 thoughts concerning the poor child. In the first place, I presume, in default of a direct heir, that your scapegrace of a nephew, James Tre- gannon, succeeded to the title and property." '* Exactly so," said Mr. Bond, ^^ there was no one to dispute his claims ; but you will be surprised when you hear that previously to gaining the property he married the eldest daughter of his attorney, a Mr. Stonehenge." ** God bless my soul," exclaimed Mr. Parks, " married Stonehenge's daughter ! Why it was Stonehenge that secured his acquittal when tried for forgery. There is something curious in that — that attorney would barter his soul for gold and station, though I have no right to say so, but such was the character he iield. My dear madam," continued Mr. Parks, ad- G 5 130 TIIK YOUNG COMMANDKR. dressing Mrs. Bond, ^'T tliought you told mo some years ago that your nephew had a wife." *'Sohe had," returned the hidy ; " but of course she must liave died." *^ What became of your three nieces ?" de- manded Mr. Parks. *' The eldest, Miss Tregannon, the daughter of my brother's first wife, married Sir Charles Trecastlo, having inherited lier mother's fortune, a very considerable one. The two girls by his second wife were amply provided for by his marriage settlement ; for my brother died without a will. I at once offered to take the two girls under my protection ; but Lady Trecastle claimed their guardianship, and as the girls evinced a wish to be under hor pro- tection, I could make no objection." *'But here," said Mr. Bond, ^'comos the most extraordinary part of the business — ^just as Sir James was abo.it to take possession of the Estate of Tregannon ho was forced to fly the country, and very lucky he was to escape." THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 1 3 I Mr. Parks lookod greatly surprised, saying — *^ How was that, friend ?" *' The fact is," continued Mr. Bond, '* painful as it is for ns to relate — but with so old and firm a friend as you, we can have no reserva- tion. The fact is, the career of this man, James Tregannon, must have been one of the most depraved and vicious it is possible to con- ceive. It appears he was recognised by a constable of Leeds, a Cornish man, as an in- dividual named Smith, under which name it seems he was connected with a notorious gang of coiners, who infested the towns of Leeds, Manchester, and Birmingham : he was also recognised as one of a gang of burglars who broke into a stock- broker's house in Leeds, and had nearly carried off a rich booty, but wore surprised by this same constable and six others who, though they failed in securing more than one of the number, distinctly recognised the coiner Smith ; but being a strong aud very active man, in a struggle with this constable, *-32 THR YOUNG COMMANDER. ho overpowered him inflicting a desperate gash on his head with a crow-bar, from which ho was some time recovering. This man, as I said, a Cornisli man by birth, happened to bo visiting his family connections in Falmouth, when James Tregannon, then Sir James, was passing the house he was in on horseback. * By heavens ! that's Smith the coiner,' exclaimed the constable, rushing out of the house into the street. It happened at that moment that James Tregannon looked back, and met the eyes of the constable eagerly fixed upon his person ; he must have instantly recognised the man ; for, putting spurs to his horse, he guUopped rapidly on, but not before the con- stable pointed him out to a shopkeeper who was standing at his door, saying — *' Do you know that j)er8on who passed on horseback ?" *' Oh, yes," he is pretty well known here. It is Sir James Tregannon, of Tregannon Tark." TUB YOUNG COMMANDER. 133 The constable laughed outright saying : — ** Well, curso mo if that aiu't a cliucher. So, nothing but a baronetcy would do — where the devil has he raised the wind." *'The shop-keeper stared at the constable, for not knowing him, or his motive for speaking as he did, ho tliouglit the man's words most extraordinary. But Trelawney, the name of the Leed's constable, was a keen, quick witted, active officer, and knew there was a large re- ward offered for the apprehension of Smith, and another man, whose name I forget, and it was impossible to shake his conviction, that the man who passed him on horseback was Smith. After a series of ei:quirics he learned all about Sir James Tregannon, his having, when a young man, been tried for forgery, and ac- quitted, and that no one knew what became of him from the period of his acquittal, till his reappearance as Sir James Tregannon. ,, The consequence of this discovery wa?, that the Baronet, had to tiy the country, leaving 134 THE TOUNO COMMANDKR. the Attorney, Stonohrn^o, to tako possession of the Trcgannon property with liberty to do what ho phrased. And it is said, Sir James and his wife are residing in France — of course the Attorney, Stonehenge, remitting the reve- nues of the estates to him. *^ Wliilo the coiistahlo lives, he will never b(» able to return, for we heard that Stonehenge had offered to pay a very large sum to hush np this nmtter, but Trelawney swears he will live to hang him yet, though he be a Baronet. " Thus stands the affair, as far as we have been informed. In the beginning we had a good deal of currespondcnee concerning the Tregan- non family, and the strange events that have occurred, but of 1 ite we have heard little or nothing:. To-morrow when vou come here you will see the boy, and we shall have a bet- ter opportunity of judging of his strange re- semblance to Mrs. Bond's brother, Sir Henry, THE TOrNO COMMANDKR. 135 and if WO really think he is our no[)lie\v, we must take immediate steps to prove liirn so." ** Ah, my worthy friend," said the Lawyer with a smile ** it is easy to talk of taking steps, but we must have son ething more tanj^ihlo to work upon, than a striking resemblanei — not worth a fit? in a law court. I sIjouM like to catch that fellow called ' lUack George' the ruffian, who so cruelly ill treated the child, if we had hold of him we might do something in earnest." '' We must offer a reward for his apprehen- sion," said Mr. Bond, ** at all events, 1 will send two active and clover London officers to track the rascal ; if ho stays in the country they'll find him." **Ah, ifsowe shall <;ain a gool startini,' point, in fact, his evidence alone, if he can be induced to give it, would perhaps settle the question at once. " <^ liy-the-bye, Mr. Parks/' said Mrs. Bond, " let me hear all about the stopping of the 136 THE YOUNO COMMANDER. Ax minster Stage, last night. I was very surry to liear that you were a suflferer by it." '* Well not nmch of a suficrer, my dear madara," said the Lawyer, with a merry laugh, ** poor Mrs. Burfat the rich Lady Buchcress was melted to a good amount I am sorry to say, for she is an excellent woman, though enormously fat. She positively nearly smothered the two spinsters, of Stugehill Terrace, tlie two Miss Trincherds, who, by-the-bye, are neither of them of Pharaoh's lean kind. You may fancy it was a tight fit, those three amiable women hedged on one seat of the Axminster Stage." Mrs. Bond smiled, saying, " Was there not a young gentleman — rather profusely decorated with jewelry — one of the passengers ?" '* Yes, and by Jove, if I could have got hold of him or that other tall fellow, his next neigh- bour in the coach, I would have had them ar- rested as suspicious characters. The fellow THE TOTTSQ COMMANDER. 137 with the jewelry, was decidedly a London pickpocket, and the other no doubt was a highwayman, for the robber who first entered the coi\ch, instantly recognised him, saying, with an oath : — *^ Ha, is this you !" *'And he then jumped out, and did not make his appearance again, when the coach was permitted to resume its journey. I got a glimpse of his countenance, however, and a remarkable one it was, the light of the lamp fell full upon it for a minute, and I looked keenly at him, being struck by the robber's words." *' What kind of man was he ?" demanded Mr. Bond, *' for two men were traced to Char- mouth, and hired a boat there, a Ush- ing smack, but where they went to, we cannot yet discover, for the fishing boat with three men, and a boy in her, has not yet returned, but, I fancy those two men were the highway- 138 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. man and the confederate or comrade you liad in the coach." *^ 1 dare say tlie same persons," remarked Mr. Parks, ** the robber wore a piece of crape over his face, therefore as to his features, I can say nothing. In person he was a tall power- ful man, and so was the other ; in years be- tween thirty and forty, aquiline noso, very dark eyes and hair, sallow complexion, and what struck mo was a singular long livid mark, reaching from the corner of the left eye, to- wards the left ear." ** Good heavens !" exclaimed Mrs. Bond, in a startled voice, " my miserable nephew, James Tregannon, has that identical mark ; it was caused by a fall from his horse when very young — hunting. It was a deep incision, and was sewed up, but a strange long narrow mark of a livid colour always remained. Besides, your description exactly answers his person, his eye brows were also somewhat remark- THB YOUNG CO? MANDER. 139 able, projecting much, and very dark and busby." ^' By Jingo, tbat's tbe man," said the Liw- yer with great vivacity. *^ It must be that other rascal— beg pardon my dear madam, for using such a word in reference to your nephew, but that other, no doubt, was the gipsy tin- ker, ^ Black George,' the child heard planning the robbery." *^ It will be difficult to trace their route," said Mr. Bond, '^ for, by the time the boat re- turns, they will, doubtless, have lelt the place where the smack took them. Xow this con- firms me in Mrs. Bond's assertion that the child is her nephew, and, if so, James Tregan- non was the man that caused him to be stolen." *' Yes," put in the lawyer ; ^^ and that gipsy George was the rascal employed to do it ; the plot thickens, but to unravel it will be diffi- cult. We must catch that Black George, with- out him we are quite powerless." 140 TlIK YOUNG COMMANDER. Mr. TarlvB left rather late, proinisinj^ to re- turn the next day to see tho child thus strangely introduced under the hospitable roof of his own relatives. TnB YOUNG rOMMANDBR. Hi CIIAPTEE VII. The following morning, our little hero was introduced into the presence of the warm- hearted Mr. Bond. Even one night of repose and kindness performed wonders for the poor child. In truth, kindness was very new to liim, and his little heart, naturally fond and j^rateful, was full of love for those who had thus rescued him from a life of misery and de- j^radation. Mrs. Bond kissed him with fond affection, while her husband gazed alternately 142 THE YOUNG COMMANDBR. at tlie child and the niinatures placed on the table. ** You are right, Ellen, quite right, I am sure," he said, after a sileuco of some mo- ments, *^ this is no chance resemblance — this is powerfully striking — the boy bears in his little features all the singular characteristics of his race ; but, as my old friend Parks says, resemblance is not wortli a fig in a law court. However, till something turns up, or we gain some further clue, he shall be reared as my nephew, and take my name ; anJ, if the worst comes to the worst, he shall inherit all I can save henceforth out of my income. The Grange estate, you know, goes at my death, default of male heir," and Mr. Bond sighed in spite of himself, " to that rascally, miserly wretch, my cousin, Curtis Bond, who has already ten times more than he ought to have; and he will have the power to will it to whom he pleases. God forgive me, he's no use in the THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 143 worlil. If I survive liiin, the power will be miue to will it ; but, confound him, he's fifteen years ray junior. It's one comfort, however, that villanous nephew of ours, James Tre- gannon, will not get it." '* I trust in God, my love," said Mrs. Bond, patting the cheek of the child, '^ that the diffi- culties in our way may be got over, and that this sweet and cruelly used child may regain its rights, and that for many, many years, my beloved Harry, you will be spared to us." '* I hope so, my dear," said Mr. Bond ; '' but let us look to the present, and leave the future in the hands of an All- wise and Omni- potent Judge. Ila ! there is Parks coming up the avenue." A few words is here necessary cuncerning the worthy and kind-hearted lawyer, Mr. Parks. He was a bachelor, in his forty-eighth year ; by his own abilities and exertions he had amassed a considerable property, and pur- chased a very handsome villa residence near 244 THE YOUNG OMMAXDEB. his native town, Lyme Eegis, within \c9s than a quarter of a mWo of Grange House, lie had a younger brother, a barrister, residing in London, witli a very large family, mainly dependent on the liberal and generous lawyer, lor he had neither the abilities or perseverance necessary to make a figure 6r fortune in the profession ho had embraced, (hie of his elder daughters resided with her uncle, a very amiable and handsome girl, just turned eighteen, and to whom Mr. Parks was much attached, having, in fact, reared her from a mere child. A steady housekeeper, two female domestics, and two men-servants, formed Mr. Parks's establishment at Bellevue Cottage. We now resume our narrative ; Mr. Parks, on entering the room, found his friend, Mr. Bond, with little Harry on his knee, trying, by adopting his language to the child's com- prehension, to bring his little mind to bear upon the past, lie had succeeded in fixing TUE YOUNG COMMANDER. 145 his atteutioii ; auJ some few observations tlie child made convinced him that his recollec- tion would perhaps return hy degrees. Mr. Parks was astouisherR. 1-53 or attendants were retained. Mrs. Stone- henge replaced them with others of her own selecting. At length Sir James and Lady Tregannon returned from a sojourn of some time in Ger- many, and took up their residence in Tregan- non House. Scarcely tl'ree weeks had elapsed before he was recognized by the Leeds' consta- ble in riding through Falmouth, lie was then forced to reveal to his father-in-law this new danorer that hunj? over him. To his surprize the Attorney did not express any great astonishment or commiseration, but coolly told him he must quit the kingdom, pro- ceed to France, and there reside till he coukl come to terms with the constable and buy him off. Sir James and his astonished wife, who could not understand this new freak of her husband's, therefore hastily left Tregannon. She was to proceed with her own attendants to Dover, and embark for Calais, where Sir Jamc* 154 THE YOUNG COMMAXDER. promised to join lier ; tliis was all the explana- tion lie gave, and they parted ; but her father told her that her hiisband^s life was iu danger and on no account to permit him to return to England, without he, Mr. Stonehongo, wrote to them to do so. Lady 'Iregannon liked France ; she had passed throu«;h Paris on her previous journey into Germany ; she therefore felt quite satis- fied at the prospect of residing in, and enjoying all the luxuries of, that gay city. Thus at the period of our return at the open- ing of this chapter to Tregannon Mansion, it was only inhabited by Mr. Stonehenge, his wife and youngest daughter. We now introduce our readers into the library of Tregannon House. It had struck the hour of ten at night, and Mr. Stone- hcmge sat at a table on whicli were many papers. There was a blazing coal fire in the grate, fur it was a bitterly cold December night, and the blaze of the fire as it flushed upon tho Tin: YOUNG COMMANDER. 1 5G rich gilding and ornaments of the very hand- some room, gave a very comfortable look to the chamber, especially as a strong south-west gale, with occasional heavy showers beat against the windows. A shaded lawip stood upon the table, throwing its light on the papers lying before the Attorney. Mr. Stonehenge seemed plunged in profound meditation ; he was not the Mr. Stonehenge with the round, jovial, ruddy face introduced to our readers some five years back, when living on the marine parade, Ply.nouth, but haggard and careworn ; his hair nearly white, with a canker worm at his heart, preying upon him and rendering his life, at times, almost a burden to him. lie had bartered his peace of mind for gold, for though he often said to himself: ' I have committed no crime,' yet an inward monitor whis[»ered : 'you have allowed another to do so, and aided him in escaping the punishment due to his guilt.' 156 THE YOUNG C )MMANDKIl. The knowledge too that he had united his daughter to a man capable of any crime, at times tormented him, and yet, with all his astuteness, ho knew but little of the terrible guilt of his titled son-in-law. Still the style and affluence in which he lived was dear to him — he could not give it up. No, he had sacrificed hispoace sooner than give up the position, he was ready to plunge even into greater crime. Such is ever the consequence of yielding one single step to the tempter. Mr. S'onehenge was roused from his reverie by the entrance of his old attendant, John, still a privileged domestic. ''Please, sir, there is a great big fellow be- low in a miner's dress, insists on seeing you. 1 told him this was no time to come, and he told me to go to the devil and deliver his message." *' Ah," said Mr. Stonehcnge with a forced smile, " they are a rough lot those miners; I TIIE JOJTSQ COMMANDER. 157 expected a captain of one of the mines this morning, and I suppose he could only come at this hour. Shew him in here ; bring him up the private stairs.'^ ** I don't think," remarked John with the privilege of an old domestic, *^ that he is a captain of a mine, he's a terrible rough fellow. I wanted to shut the door and leave him out- side, but he pushed it back saying : * he'd break every bone in my carcvise if I didn't be off and deliver his message.' " Mr. Stonehenge turned a little pale, say- ing— " Do as 1 bid you — these men are rough, but honest." John rubbed his nose, doubted, and departed. The master of Treganuon, for such he might fairly be styled, sig'ed, muttered something about old times, wished that he was still living on the Marine Parade, and had never picked up the crumpled piece of paper that had led to 168 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. bis dauglilcr's beconing Lady Tregannon, and tbe loss of bis own peace of mind. In tbc midst of tbese reflectionB, tbe door was tbrown open, and Jobn, usbered in tbe Cornisb miner, with a look of considerable dis- gust, lie was, in trutb, a tall, powerful man, over six feet, and as Jobn retired, be very de- liberately walked to tbe door, opened it, and looked out into tbe corridor. Mr. Stonebenge started and looked at bis visitor witb a very uncomfortable feeling. Tbe nan closed tbe door, and the key being inside, very deliberately locked it. Tbe At- torney started up, saying, sharply — *' How is this ? What means this liberty, to call it by no other name ?" '' Oh, indeed," said the visitor, witb a laugh, *' call it any other name you like, it wont offend me ; you and I will soon understand each other." Mr. Stonebenge could only see tbe eyes of THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 1 09 the stranger, the rest of Lis face was hid be- neath an immense red wolleu wrapper, and his person covered by a long miner's frock, but the eyes he did see, met his with a glance that made the attorney quail, and without a word, he sank back into liis chair. The stranger unwound the wrapper and threw it aside, and pushing back the dark mass of hair that covered his forehead, dis- closed the features of the man called Black George, whom we once before introduced to our readers on the moor above Charmouth and Lyme Regis. *' Who are you ?" exclaimed Mr. Stone- henge, after regarding the stranger for a mo- ment with fixed attention. '^ I have never seen you before. IIow is this — I expected a very different person." **You are right," exclaimed the stranger, coolly seating himself, " I do not think you ever had that pleasure, but do not be alarmed. 160 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. I como hero to serve you, as well as myself; iu fact, the business 1 have with you requires great caution, and no eaves-droppers. I sup- pose you are aware that the child ." At the mention of the word child, Mr. Stone- henge started from his chair, as if a congreve rocket, had burst beneath it. He stood gazing at his terrible visitor, for several moments, without the power to speak. ^' You seem amazed, Mr. Stonehenge,^' said Black George, with perfect composure, *' at my mentioning the child — I mean, of course, the heir of Tregannon." The Attorney sat down, pale as death, the perspiration standing upon his forehead. Again as he looked at the man's face he started, for its expression was entirely changed ; he had, it seemed, some strange power over his features ; he had pushed back the dark masses of hair from his high broad forehead — his brows no longer met, and a strange smile sat upon his THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 1 6 I lip; he no longer looked ferocious, he even might be said to be a handsome man, of a peculiar stamp. " You seem, Mr. Stonehenge," resumed the stranger, ^' to be either bewildered or to wish to appear so. Now, it is absolutely necessary that we should understand each other before we part. Let me ask you, first of all — did you really suppose the body of the child, found in the Eiver Fal, was that of the late Sir Henry Claude Tregannon's son." Wiping the perspiration from his forehead, Mr. Stonehenge, in a very agitated voice, said — " What other supposition could I have ; every one considered the body found to be the lost child's — whose elses could it be ?" " Oh, as to whose child it was,'' interrupted the stranger, with his keen eyes bent upon the Attorney, " that's easily answered — the child was mine !" ** Good God 1" exclaimed the miserable Mr. 162 TT!K TOUNQ COMMANDER. Stonelienge, who really was decoivod in consider- ing the body found to be the youni^ heir's. He certainly know his son-in-law stole the child, but James Tregannon told him that in crossing the river, the crazy punt upset, and that, with great diiHculty, he saved his own and his wife's life, but that the child he could not save. Whether the Attorney thought ho wilfully let the child be drowned, we cannot say, but he assuredly thought he was drowned ; there- fore, when his unknown visitor asserted that the body found was that of his own child, he felt a cruel pang of bitter disappinntmont, for he naturally supposed that the heir of Tregannon still lived, and that he had perilled body and soul for nothing but to plunge, perhaps, into greater crime. Such were Mr. Stonehenge's thoughts, as he sat facing his coul and perfectly unconcerned visitor, who read, with ease, what was passing in the Attorney's mind. ^' All this," said Mr. Stonchengo, making an THE TOUNO COMMANDER. 168 effort to recover himself, " overpowers me. When Sir James Tregaimon married my daugh- ter, I considered him the undoubted heir to this property. He was guilty of a great crime in stealing tho child." The attorney fidgetted in his chair, for ho felt thai the eyes of the stranger were searching every corner of his heart. " Oh !" interrupted the visitor, in a dry, sneering tone, ** if you want me to imagine that you are an injured and innocent man, you are quite mistaken. You are equally guilty with my worthy friend in consenting to rob — yes, rob, that's the word ; it's an ugly one, cer- tainly, but it's plain and easily understood. In consenting to hide the guilt of your esti- mable son-in-law, and rob the heir of Tregan* non of his rights, you became equally guilty ; the law makes little ditferenco between tho conniver at imposture and the perpetrator. If your conscience smites you, say so, and in three 164 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. days I will produce the heir of Trcgannon, and make terms for myself." As lie said tlieso words he rose from his chair. " Stay !" said Mr. Stonehengo, in a tone of great excitement. " Man or devil, which ever you are, do you want to ruin and hang us all ?" ^* Certainly not," resumed the man, reseat- ing himself; *^ don't talk of hanging — it's un- pleasant. I've had a long, stormy walk, and would willingly drink a glass of wine, brandy, or any other liquor, to your good health and our future intercourse, for we must pull toge- ther ; and when you know all, you will admit that I have been cursedly ill- treated." ^' Very good," returned the attorney, making a great effort to recover himself, and getting up, he opened a handsome garde-de-vin, and took out two richly- cut decanters full of spirits ; these, and a curious antique glass, he placed on the table before his guest, saying, " Help TIIL YOUNG COMMANDKB. 165 yourself — I will listen to wbat you have to say." *' Come, this is doing the thing handsome. Splendid cut glass. No doubt the liquor is excellent," pouring out, as he spoke, nearly half a pint of pure brandy, which he swallowed without the slightest inconvenience. *' A good and wholesome spirit," continued Black George; '* it warms me after four hours' exposure to torrents of rain. I forgot to drink your health, but will do 80 next glass. Xow, Mr. Stone- henge, to make thinirs clear to you, and prove to you that I am acting fairly for both parties, I must trouble you with a short sketch of my early intercourse with the present Sir James Tregannon." But this brijf sketch must be given in our next chapter. 166 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. CHAPTER VIII. ** About ten or eleven years ago," began Black George, *'I first met your son-in-law; it was on the Exeter race- course. He was then a very young man, four or five years my junior. Who I am, or what my real name may be, it is quite un- necessary to inform you. I frequented the same society as James Tregannon. lie kept three race- horses at this time, and backed them enor- mously and inconsiderately ; he also played higli. Our first meeting was at a gaming-table on the race-course, under a tent. 1 won a large THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 167 sum from him. A\'c soon became very inti- mate, and knowing that he would lose in the coming race, I taught him a way to save him- self from his injudicious bets. We need not, however, follov up our further acquaint- ance at this period. Three years after he was tried for forgery. Ilad he followed my advice, he would never have been suspected. How- ever, through your means, he was acquitted. '*The next time we met was in Manchester ; we were both married, and dame fortune had reduced us both to the lowest ebb. Some transactions 1 undertook in London, which did not exactly prosper, forced me to fly to the provinces. I could disguise myself in various ways, personate almost any character, and always had a singular power over my features, BO that in one second I could so change the expression of my face as almost to defy de- tection." As Black George said these words, Mr. 168 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. Stonehcnge looked up and almost sprang from his chair with a startled surprise. His visitor's face was fearfully changed. His nose, which was rather a large one, but straight and well-formed, was now twisted up- wards, disclosing the nostrils, and completely distorting the countenance. One eye had dis- appeared, leaving only the white to be seen; altogether tho effect was surprising and most unpleasant to behold. A hearty laugh from the attorney's strange guest restored his face to its usual appearance. " You see, my good friend, you would be puzzled to swear to my identity, eh ? That's only a trifling change, but enough to show you that with the help of dress I could baffle a Bow Street Eunner." lie then continued, *^ I soon found out that James Tregannon and his wife were leagued with a gang of coiners. The men coined the false money, and the women passed it in the great towns. I THE YOtNG COMMANDEU. 1G9 joined this gaug, and we should have made a very hicrative business ot it but for one of our number turning informer. *' James Tregunuon and I went with our wives lo Leeds ; we were not successful there ; we were completely blown upon, and nearly caught by half a score constables in a well planned scheme of mine ; had we succeeded, we intended to have fled the country, so hot was the pursuit alter Smith (that was 3'our son-in-law's alias) and myself. After these failures we joined a gang of gipsy tinkers. I had tried this dodge before, and was wide awake to their ways ; but my friend was new to the trade — did not understand their slang, and was a shade too proud lor soldering tin saucepans. At the expiration of three months, James Tregannon and his wife left us — I liked the life well enough and remained witii the gang. I got a new name amongst the tinkers, I'lom my black beard, which 1 kept long, and a tiiick coat of soot to hide my complexion. VOL. I. I ]70 THi: YOUNG COMMANPKR. *' Time rolled on, and in tIjo course of our percgrinutions about twenty of us, in gangs, tra- velled into Cornwall ; we each bad a donkey or tuo, and a small tent; those that were un- married herded together. I need not tell you we were not always employed soldering kettles. In fact we led a very jovial life, I assure you, and lived well, thanks to the neighbouiing pre- serves, and i'arm-yards, for we always selected a proper situation for our encampments, and bad divers ways of communicating with each other. " We encauiped about two miles fron Truro, at a mile or so distant from each other. At this time I had an only child, as fair and handsome a boy as any in the land — ho was about three years old. One evening, very late, I was astonished at beholding James Tregannon and his wife approaoliing our tent ; he looked miserably haggard, and his wife worse. She always drank hard ; her passion for gin was heriuin. We had a long conference, but it will be sufficient to tell vou that the result was THE YOUNG COMMANDET. 171 that I struck my tent, and agreed to accom- pany him into the vicinity of Tregannoa House, keeping the opposite side of the river where the country is very thinly popuUitod, and for miles thickly wooded. '' James Tregannon's plan was to steal the only son of his uncle, Sir Henry Tregannou. He explained to me the infirmities his uncle laboured under, and declared that the loss of the child would cause the Baronet's death ; that he would then bo the next heir to the Tregannon estate — and offered me five thousand pounds to proceed to America with the child, on mv takinc: a fearful oath never to reveal to any human being the child's name. I jumped at this proposal, because I thought it possible a very large reward would be offered for the recovery of the child. Even if it did not kill tho Ikronet, which 1 Aery much doubted, the five thousand pounds would enable me to quit thia country and settle in America ; to do which I was very anxious. I 2 172 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. ** The diflicuUy was to stral the child with- out iiicunini; iletoction. 'I'his James Tregan- non (leoljinHl he could do, as he had for weeks been planning the aflPair, and had a pU\ce of concealment on the opposite side of the river, and an old shooting punt, in a muddy creek, that could he made available for crossing. Ac- cordingly, I set oat with my wife and child, and arriving at the place appointed, set up my tent on the borders of a little creek that the tide from the Fal ran into, and which was dry at low water. The shooting punt I patched uj) as wdl as I could. Within half-a-milo of us, James Tregannon and his wife took up their abode in a ratlicr singular cave ; 1 think it must have been the shaft of an old mine. lie and his wife every day crossed the river, and lay concealed near Tregannon Park, waiting for a favourable opportunity to accomplish their purpose. I sometimes rambled as i'ar as St. Juste or St. Mawes, doing a small job here and THB TOUKO COMMANDER. 173 there. Tinkering requires very little geuiuB, and few tools, '* One day, on my return from St. Justs, on entering my tent, I found my wife drunk and fast asleep, but the little boy was not there; thinking he might bo with TregannonN wife in the cave, I went there — they were absent — I became alarmed — I ran back to the creek, irom which I knew the tide ran violently. I do not wish, Mr. Stonehenge to excite your sym- pathy ; I am a man of crime, and one hard to soften, but that hour of my life in which I strove to tind my child, for I tracked his little feet on the mud on the borders of the creek, was the bitterest I ever passed — I have never been the same man since — I have become more hardened and reckless. However, all I need Bay on this subject is, I never saw my child jifirain — neither have 1 ever forgiven his mother. She was drunk, and the child, 1 suppose, went out to the water's edge, and in trying, perhaps, to reach bomething tioating, overreached him- I 7 \ THE YOUNG COMMANDER. Belf, foil in, and was carried awaj by the ebb- ing tide. ** Throe days after, James Treganiion suc- ceeded in stealing the Baronet's lieir, and get- ting it, without detection, to the cave. I went to St. Mawes the next day, leaving my wife in the cave with the Tregannons, lying close, while I went for provisions. " On returning, I came round through St. Justs, and going into an ale house for a pint of beer, was utterly astounded on hearing some people talking about the death of Sir Henry Claude Tregannon. Had James Tregannon deceived me, and murdered his uncle !" Air. Stonehenge sliook as if with ague, and looked at Black George with an expression of intense anxiety. ''Such was my first impresgiou," continued the Attorney's companion. " I have said I am a man of crime and sin, but as yet no man's blood lies at my door. I would not, for the Baronet's wealth, have been an accomplice in THR YOL'NO COMMANDKR. 175 his murder. As the couversatioii werit on, I I'ouud I had wronged James Tregannon. The Baronet liad poisoned himself hy mistaking a dose of some poison or other he was in tlie habit of taking for an ilhiess he had. Hero was a sudden piece of intelligence lor James Tregannon. I therefore hurried back to the cave, and informed them both ot the news J had heard. *' ' I told you,' said James Tregaunon, with a curious kind ol laugh, ^ that he would be flure to die or kill himself after the loss of the child.' ^^ 1 did not like this view of the ease ; it was a second -hand way of co lunittiag murder, if he knew his uncle would poison himself in despair ho was guilty of his death — i told him fio- — but he laughed at me, saying — '* ' I fear your conscience is too lender lo accept my offer of the five thousand pounds — do you wish to draw back V ^•'Certainly not,' 1 leplied ; 'my part of 176 TUB YOUNG COMMANDER. tbo business is the taking care of the cliibl — I will perfMrin u\y part, if you will porlorm yours.' " ' Tbo (lay I become Sir James Tregaunon,' he said, ^ you Kliall receive the five tbousand pounds, and then you leave ibis country for America.' *' Now 1 expected a deal of trouble with the child. He appeared a fiery little fellow, and his beauty was remarkable. We stripped him and dressed him in some of my child's clotheis, blacked his face with some walnut juice and soot, and then myself and wife left the place, always travelling at night. Tregannon and his wife staid behind in the cave. '^ Some time would elapse before he would become possessed of the estates ; he was not at all afraid of ever being recognized as the coiner and burglar Smith, for none of his former companions knew his real name ex- cept myself — and it was not at all likely any one would ever think of identifying Smith TOUNO COMMANDER. 177 and Sir James Treganiiori iis one and the same person, even if a likeness was perceptible. He intended to go abroad for a year or two, and the great change there would be in his person and appearance would, he thought, balllo even the eyes of his old companions ; but he was deceived, as you already know." ** How do you know that ?" demanded Mr. Stonehengc, in a tone of surprise, ** you have not seen Sir James I" *' I saw him seven weeks ago," returned Black George ; ^" but lot me finish. My nar- rative already occupies too much time. I waited very patiently several months, think- ing Sir James would fulhl his contract, but I bad no intelligence from him. I left my wife and the boy in a safe place, and travelled back here. It was then I heard about the finding of the body of the late Baronet's child, and that it was recognized by its garments, and also by several of tlie domestics. *^ It struck me at once, that the body found 178 TUK YOUNG COMMANDER. was my child's, and that James Tregannon and his wife had discovered the body after my departure, and dressed it in the young heir's clothes. It was a deep ruse ; but I felt pleased that my poor child received christian burial. I also discovered that James Tregannon was in Germany with his wife — your daughter. I was amazed — for I did not know he had lost his first wife. Thus there was no chance of my five thousand pounds till he should come back from Germany — for, recollect, I was not aware of the true nature of your connection with him at that time." Mr. Stonohenge did not venture to look up, so Black George continued, with a grim smile at the silent Attorney — " Until the child sljould lose all memory of the past, we were forced to live and pitch our tents in remote and thinly inhabited districts. I was compelled to be cruel to the boy to break his spirit, and by keeping him in our tent, he gradually began to speak with a strange hesi- THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 179 tation of manner ; still it would not do, for two or three years, to let liini out of my wife's sight. At last, I heard that Sir James Tregannon and his lady had returned to their estate. This was not however till two months after they had re- turned ; and, by the time I gut into Corhwall, I heard the news of his and his lady's depar- ture again for the continent ; and the strange rumour, that he was suspected ot having com- mitted an act, for which he was forced to leave the country. That a constable from Leeds had publicly said — he could swear to Sir James Tregannon having at one time gone under the name of Smith, and that the said Smith bo- longed to a gang of coiners and burglars, wiio, some years back, infected the towns of Leeds, Manchester, and Birmingham. Ilowever, as Sir James was not to be found, the charge against him rcnuiined unprove!. A great many people believed tliat tlie constable spjko the truth ; bon\e who knew but little of my worthy friend, said it was ab.-.urd nonsense to accuse a 180 THE YOUNG COMMANDKR. gentleman of sucli a crime bccniiso lie hap- pened to 1)0 like a man named Smith. At all events, I saw no chance of my five thousand pounds ; and as ho had not fiilfillod his con- tract, I began to turn it in my brain how I might make the most of my secret. '^ I returned to my wife, and the first thing I did was to take some gunpowder, and, with a needle, punctured in the boy's left shoulder the three letters — II. C. T., and under them the date 178—. This I did that 1 jnight know the boy, should I chance to lose him. As long as he lives he will carry that mark, in some shape or other, on his shoulder. *' I thus passed over nearly four years, rambling through various counties, not exactly knowing how to act with respect to the boy, for I did not know whether his relations would believe my story, or, whicli was the safest way of informing them. '^ At this time, just as 1 had made up my mind to apply by letter to Lady Trecastle, for THE TOCXG COMMANDER. ISI I was well acquainted with the boy's history, and the whereabouts of his sisters, havinsj learned all this from James Tregannon, I joined a party of my old associates going into Dorset- shire. '' I pitched my tent on a dreary moor not very far from Charmouth and Lyme Regis, and some ten or twelve of our gang located themselves a few miles opart. We intended to do a little business on the king's high- way, that mode of ' raising the wind' becoming fashionable again. " We heard of a crood catch, one night, in a gentleman who was returning to his mansion, near Lvme Reizis, with nearlv eiorht hundred pounds in his gig. We determined to stop him, but a comrade of mine, rather a wayward kind of devil, insisted upon robbing the Axminster heavy stage, as one of our spies had gained intelligence that the rich butcher's wife at Axminster was returning from Biidport, 182 THE YOUNJ COMMAND FR. with a couplo of hundred pounds — I waa agiiinst this but was overruled." Mr. Stonehengo shuddered as he ventured a timid glance at the strange guest he was thus suddenly associated with, who, however, now and then filled his glass and went on quite coolly with his narrative. *' We stopped the coach, and taking one of the lamps, I pulled the door open, and mounted the steps. As 1 did so, 1 saw the muzzle of a pistol within an inch of my head, but, at the same moment, the light of the lamp fell full upon the face of the individual holding the pistol. I beheld James Tregannon ; a few words from me caused him to leap out of the coach, and leaving my comrades to complete their job, we walked on towards Ciiarmouth. ^' 1 suppose, Mr. Slonehenge," continued lUack George, in a tone that forced that indi- vidual to look him in the face, *' I need not THE TODNO COMMaNDKR. 183 repoat to you all the conversation I had \^ itii my old comrade. In his own vindication, he declared that ho was completely in your hanils." The Attorney turned pale, and quailed under the keen inquisitive glance of the robber. " That you had it in your power to silence the Leeds' constable, but " " On my honour," eagerly interrupted Mr. Stonehenge, ^' he wrongs nie. I wrote him many letters on the subject, telling him it would be madness to tamp.^r with this man, for, to offer to purchase his silence, would be to declare Sir James guilty, whereas, 1 have treated the whole affair with contempt, but still it forces him to liv(3 abroad, and, in fact, I cinnot see how he could live at homo ; after the unfortunate acts he committed in his youth, he would be shut out from all society." ** Humph I" muttered the robbor, '* perhaps 184 THE YOTJXG COMMANDER. SO, but he say3 he cannot live on the amount you remit hini." ** Cannot live," repeated the Attorney, his face the colour of scarlet, *^ not live on five thousand a-year, for a few years, till his im- mense debts are paid off. lie is a madman, receiving five thousand a-ycar and not entitled to a shilling." *' Ha ! 1 see," interrupted the highwayman. ^^ The plain matter-of-fact is this :" and he spoke in a cool determined voice : " Three men join together to commit a great crime — Sir James Tregannon, jVIr. Stonehengo, and your humble servant. The first gains a title and five thousand a-year, admitted. The second lives in a splendid mansion, with a train of domestics, and handles the amount be- tween five thousand and fourteen thousand a- year. The third, running the greatcbt risk, with the burden of the stolen child on his hands, wanders about and earns his bread as THE TOFXO COMMANDKR. 185 a travelling tinker, and at times, a robber. Do not interrupt me, sir," continued lilack George, with his terrible look, that made the Attorney quail, ** I have nearly finished. Now I ask you a plain question. When three men unite to commit an act by which a great gain is made, is it usual that only two profit by it?" The man paused. Mr. Stonchenge now experienced the conse- quences of crime, not exactly for the first time, but he felt that, henceforth, there would be neither security or peace, and, in his own mind, he came to a sudden resolution ; however, lie looked up and said, calmly enough — " I admit you have not been fairly treated, it was not my fault, Sir James ought to have made provision for his contract with you." *^ Well," impatiently interrupted JHack George, putting his hand into his pocket and pulling out a folded paper ; the Attorney eying his proceedings with a wary eye, ** Sir James, it seems, ventured from Paris to this 186 THE YOUNG COM.NfANDER. country, to liave an interview with you. I do not want to know :iny thing «ibout your private affairs; ho was going to Lyme Regis, to hiro a boat to take Liin to Guernsey ; wo went to- gether to Channouth, and he hired a fishing- smack to take him to that place, and I saw him sail Before he departed I insisted on his giving me an order on you for the sum of six thousand pounds." "Six thousand pounds!" repeated Mr. Stone- hengo, with a start ; '' I understood your agree- ment was for five thousand !" " True — but I liave waited four years for it ; during those four years I might have doubled that sum in America, therefore, I in- sisted on six thousand pounds. How uiuoh do you think Mr. and Airs. Bond would give for my secret ?" *^ Mr. and Mrs. Bond, of Grange House," exclaimed the Attorney, in a tone of intense alarm, as he fixed his eyes upon the undis- turbed features of the robber. THi: YOUNG COMMANDER. 187 ^^ The same," returned Black George, enjoy- ing the alarmed look of the Master of Tregannon. '^ Mrs. Bond is the child's aunt, and they are very wealthy." '' IIow soon must you have this money ?" questioned Mr. Stonehenge, in a low, hesitating voice. ^* There is a ship in Plymouth Sound," said the robber, '^ will sail for America to-morrow fortnight ; T wish to embark in her, and quit this country for ever, and I will give you my oath in any manner you please that from ray lips the secret of the boy's existence shall never be revealed. There is Sir James's order for the sura I raentioned," throwing the paper upon the table, ^^ and I think, when you consider the part I have performed, and have to perform, you will acknowledge I am the the worst paid of the three." Anxious to get rid of his most unwelcome visitor, Mr. Stonehenge said — 1S8 THE TOUNO COMMANDER. *' In three, say four days hence, I shall be ready with the rnoiu^y." ** Very good," said IMack George, rising, *' I shall be here punctually." Mr. Stonelienge summoned his man John, who, with looks of considerable surprise, con- ducted the c.iptain of the mine, as he was led to consider him, without the mansion, wishing him a pleasant walk home — a deluge of rain and sleet was pouring down at the time. THE YOUNG COMMA.NDER. 189 CHAPTER XI. "NVe pass over a period of eight years, since the events recorded in our last chapter, a long period apparently to look forward to, but a mere nothing to plunge back into the past, for mind and thought travel with lightning speed. Time had rolled on during those eight years, laying many in the tomb, bringing others to its brink, and letting childhood spring into youth, and youth into manhood. We open our present chapter then in the spring of the year IS — , and find ourselves ICO THE YOVNO COMMANDER. after tliis lapse of tinio in tlie pleasant and happy mansion of Grange House ; there waa no change there in external appearance; all was smiling and beautiful under the influence of a bountiful Providence, and a good and kind landlord. The wide spread lawn was throwing up its emerald colours ; the noble trees wxre opening their buds into leaves, and the wide and glo- rious sea was rippling and sparkling, covered with barks, in the unclouded glories of a young May morning. Mr. and Mrs. Bond, but lightly touched by the passage of those eight years, were seated in their favourite sitting-room, which commanded the bay and town of Lyme Ecgis, the windows were open, for the (lay was very beautiful, con- sidf ring that the climate was England and the month May. Mr. Bond had liis telescope in hand, he was gazing through it, out upon the rippling sea, from vessel to vessel he pointed his glass — till at last it rested on a beautiful THE YOUXO COMMANDER. 191 cutter yacht coming up in short tacks from tlie Bill of Portland, undor all tlio sail she could crowd. She was beating up for Lyme, with a steady south west Avind. " Ah ! there she is, Ellen," said Mr. Bond, turning the glass towards his fair partner; ^* She sails like a witch ; and that dear boy handles her like a top. I must send William with the horses to mcut him ; he will reach in by the time they arc there." So saying, Mr. B^nd rose up and rang the bell, and forthwith ordered the groom to saddle Mr. Uenry's favourite horse, and proceed to Lyme, and wait the yacht's arrival. '' There is our friend Parks comini; up the lawn," said Mrs. Bond ; '' he told us yesterday if he had to leave for London to night he would be here early, hoping to see lleniy before his departure. 1 am glad, therefore, to see the yacht in sight." ** Ah ! confoiiid the law," muttered Mr. Bond, as he left the room; '' P.irks gives the 192 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. thing up. The last consiiltatiou of lawyers settled the case ; they all agreed that they firmly believed Harry to be the heir of Tre- gannon ; but notwithstandihg the resemblance and the letters tattooed on his shoulder, and the boy's own memory of the past, the case would not do to bring into a law court. Thank God, your blessed — I beg your pardon, my love, for though he is a scoundrel, he is still your nephew — but thank Ood, he cannot get a fraction out of the estate during his life — a devil of a mess his rascally attorney got him into." So saying, Mr. Bond sallied out of the front door, and walked down the avenue to meet Mr. Parks, who came slowly up, reading a letter, and stopping every now and then to consider what he was reading. '' Well, I suppose you are off to-night for tlie great metropolis. Parks,'' said Mr. Bond, after a hearty shake of the hand, *^ there's the * ^^'ater Witch/ beating up for the harbour, THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 193 Ilarry will be just in time to see yuu before your departure, as you liiuted you may not be back for some months." ^* Yes," returned Mr. Parks, " I saw the boat before I left the house, I am very glad that I shall see Harry, but do you know I have received, by this morning's post, a most extraordinary letter, in a female hand ; here it is. By Jupiter, I do not know what to make of it." '' What's it about ?" asked Mr. Bond. ^' Eead it, old friend, read it, it's no secret — a nice pretty hand is it not ?" Mr. Bond took the letter, and with some curiosity cast his eyes upon tho writing. Using our privilege, we look over his shoulder and give our readers the contents of the letter, which was written in a fair small hand. ** Sir, *' On the point of quitting tho shores of my native land, most probably for VOL. I. K 194 THE TOUNa COMMANDEB. evtr, I feel, in iviy heart, I cannot do so, \vilhout easing my mind and conscience of a secret that oj>pre6ses me, and renders life al- most painful ; and yet there are reasons which prevent my disclosing this secret to you, in a manner that might render the disclosure infi- nitely more heneficial to the party ^vhom it concerns. Still, if it does nothing else, it will relieve the minds of those generous indi- viduals, Mr. and Mrs. Bond, from all doubt with respect to the child they have so nobly pro- tected and cherished. ** I solemnly assure you, that the boy they recevied under their roof, and to whom they have given their name, is the only son and heir of the late Sir II em y Claude Tregannon, consequently their own nephew. The ill-fated boy was stolen from his home by James Tre- gannon and his first wife, and secreted in a cave for several days. This cave is, I believe, on the other side of the river to Tregannon House, about a mile down the stream, and close THE YOUKG COMMANDER. 195 to a narrow muddy creek that the tide runs up. The child v/as then consigned over into the hands of a man, his name at that time I knew not, but at the period I discovered this secret he called himself Black George ; he was an old comrade of James Tregannon's. This man was under the disguise of a gipsy tinker, he was to have five thousand pounds for taking the child to America on swearin": never lo reveal his name. The body of the child found and buried as the son of Sir Henry Tregannon, was the son of this man, Black George, which had been accidentally drowned. James Tregannon and his wife finding the face and person of the child much mutilated and disfigured, dressed it in the garments of the unfortnn:ite heir of Tregannon and as such it was buried. The man, Black George, with gunpowder and some composition, punctured on the stolen child's shoulder, the letters '' II, C. T." and the year, and date. K 2 196 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. ** This man I understood sailed from Ply- mouth in the American bark, the Indepen- dence, bound for New York. For several years 1 considered that he had taken the child with him, and that he could never be traced, and only a few months ago, discovered that the boy was actually under the roof of his own aunt, and that you sir, and several eminent lawyers were about to bring his case into a court of law, and dispute the title of the pre- sent possessor of the estates. If therefore this statement, to which, unhappily, I cannot affix my name, will serve the cause of the n;uch wronged heir of Tregannon, in my heart I thank God that I have made it, if not, I must only console myself with the reflection that I have done all I dare do under the cir- cumstances in which I am placed. I can only sign myself. *' A SlNCKRE LOVKR OF TiaTH AND JUSIICK " Mr. Bond read the Utter from beginning to THE YOUHG COMMANDER. 197 end, without pause or remark ; having fiu- ished, he looked into the benevolent faco of his friend Parks, saying — ** This is singular enough ; who on earth do you suppose wrote this letter." " I have not the slightest idea, my good friend, but although I believe every word in it, I am sorry to say it would do no good to our cause. It would be called conspiracy, an au- nonymous letter is worthless. It bears the Cork post mark, therefore the writer is either in Ireland or has sailed thence by this time. It's altogether very singular." ''By Jove, Parks, there is one part of the letter may be turned to use." *' Whatsthat?" *^ Why, Henry and I will have a trip into Cornwall, and have a hunt after that cave. Who knows what may turn up there." ** True, it will be worth while, and can do no harui. liy- the-bye in a letter 1 Ijad thia 198 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. morning from Saunders, he says : ' that Stone- hcngo and his family succeeded in reaching Liverpool, and were just seven hours under weigh for America, when the party in cliase reached Liverpool.* " ^' How much was it," demanded Mr. Bond in a musing tone, ^^ that he contrived to raise in the name of James Tregannon ?" ** Fifty thousand pounds," returned Mr. Parks as they continued their walk round the lawn, " it will take eight or nine years and more to clear the estate. The creditors have agreed to allow that villain, James Tregannon, a thousand a year till the amount raised in his name is paid off ; I do not quite understand how the thing was done, for though James Tregannon did actually authorise the raising of this sum, I cannot understand for what purpose, or what could induce this Stonehenge, who lived at Tregannon as its master, to rob his employer and to escape with his plunder to THE YOUNG COMMAHDRR. 199 America. By Jove you have just put an idea into ray head — Stoneheuge had two daughters, had he not ?" ^* He had, or has," returned Mr. Bond, '' what then ?" " Why, it was a female that wrote this letter, and she states she was leaving her native land, and situated as she was, she could not give her name ; hy Jove, it's not at all unlikely, but that Miss Stonehenge wrote it, especially as it could do her father no manner of injury." *' But my good friend, this letter bears the Cork post mark, and quite a recent date, and you know Stonehenge must have sailed from Liverpool more than two months ago, at the least." The lawyer looked puzzled, and remained «ilently pondering over something. Mr. Bond cast a look over the sea, and then exclaime and all pulled well together. We were sent to cruize, by Captain E of the Thunderer, the commander on the station off the gulf of Lyons, to keep a look out for three French ships, thought to be lying under Fort G , where a number of gun boats were kept. ** Well, it was the month of September, and the weather was clear and fine. Our Captain resolved to stand into the Gulf till within sight of Fort G . There was a bright blue sky, and a nice liirht breeze from the south west. We stood into the Gulf, under topgallant sails, and royals, making about eight knots an hour. We were just abreast of Cape Antoine about six miles off when we saw a small speck of a cloud settle on the high point of the Cape, and in a minute it grew as big as our mainsail, and then disappeared. THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 211 Our Captain was walking tlie deck, with his telescope in hand, and at times looking beyond the Cape. Suddenly he called out — " ^ Away aloft, and furl the royals, and topgallant-sails.^ '' I was one of the number that ran aloft ; my eyes, just as I reached the topgallmt-yard, I saw coming out of the Gulf, like a race horse, a white squall ; the sea was a sheet of snow white foam, tossed wildly into the air ; all hands were called upon deck, but before the Btunsails were taken in, or the topgallant- sails furled, the white squall was upon us. Crack went the booms, then the topgallant- masts ; the brig taken aback, heeled over fear- fully, till her yards touched the foaming water, unfortunately for me, I was slipping down a rope, and the sudden heel over threw me off my hold and pitched me into the foaming waters ; hen coops and all kinds of things were hurled in by those who saw me lall overboard ; the next moment crack went the 210 TIIK YOUNG COMMANDER. brig's foremast and fore- stay, and then the mainmast and all its gear, such a tremendous squall I believe none aboard ever witnessed. As for myself, for the moment, I was stupified; but as I rose to the surface, I came against a very large hencoop, which I grasped and clung to, with the hold of an oyster, rolling over and over two or three times, till I got astride on it ; I could'nt see a yard before me ; I did not know then that the brig had lost both her masts, for the sea resembled a snow drift. I was aware that these white squalls of the Me- diterranean seldom lasted beyond half an hour or so, it's their first blast that does the mischief, often not only unmasting vessels, but often turning them over, and causing them to founder ; I held on like grim death, Master Harry — it was no joke. The wind was terrific and the sea like a cauldron of boiling water ; but in twenty minutes or so the great fury of the squall passed on, and in ten minutes more I lay rolling and tossing on the sea, with THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 21 5 scarcely as much wiud as would serve to fill a skysail. I could see the squall on before me, and you may imagine how eagerly I looked to get a sight of the brig ; but no brig was to be seen. In half an hour more I lay upon my hencoop, the sea as calm as a sleeping infant, the sky perfectly unclouded, and the sun shining as pleasantly as if no squall had occurred. *' I soon began to find my berth on the hencoop rather a doubtful one for passing the night on. I did not altogether despair ; but I must confess I had little hope of rescue ; for the crew no doubt thought I had perished, and not a single sail could I see over the vast extent of ocean. To mc the land was invisible, though only fourteen miles distant. The sea, luckily, was as smooth as a mirror, and my craft, the hencook, was over twenty feet long, the least roll of a ?ea would have forced me to keep half my body in the water, thereby tempt- ing some hungry shark to make a meal of it. 214 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. When the sun set, the wind came out from the Spanish coast, but only a pleasant ni^ht breeze. I was not cold, thougli occasionally my feet to the knees remained in the water. As hour after hour passed, I wondered if I should be able to hold on till daylight, still I trusted in rrovidence, determined to struggle to the last. *' About four or five hours after sunset, I fancied I beheld two or three white objects like sails between me and the land. It struck me that they might be the French gun boats I knew were lying at anchor under the bat- teries of Fort G . I'hey often put to sea at night to have a look out at early dawn. They were latine rigged craft, carried one desperately long gun, and sailed uncommonly fast. My heart beat with joy when I fairly distinguished the latine suil ot one of them, though I knew I should become a prisoner ; but life is life— I nnght get out of a French prison, but never out of ' JJavy Joues's Locker.' THE TOUNQ COMMANDER. 215 I kept my eyes fixed upon the sail ; it camo right before the wind, and the way the boat was steering she would surely pass within hail. *' It was not a moonlight night, but a bright, clear, starlight. Presently I could distinguish the hull. She carried one huge latine sail and a small jib, and was running dead before the wind, which was light. I judged she would pass within a hundred yards of me ; even at that distance she might not see me ; so, when I considered her near enough to make myself heard, 1 hailed at the top of my voice, but received no reply for several minutes. At last I observed the gun- boa- round up in the wind, and several voices in French hailed. I shouted out again, and alter a time they made mo out. In a few minutes she was close alongside my cralt, and, throwing me a rope, amidst a volley of words, not one of which I understood, I scrambled on board, but so stiff in ray lower timbers, that 1 UU down on the deck, thanking God heartily for my unlooked-for 216 TTIE YOUNG COMMANDER. preservation. I could make out that they knew I was an Englishman, for they said frequently, * Anglais ;' and presently one of the crow came up, holding a lantern, and said to me in tole- rable English — " ' You Englishman ? where come from ? what ship V *' The jolly little ^ Spitfire,' my hearties,' says I ; * and blessings on you for saving my life.' " * Oh !' said the interpreter, ^ he is from the Got dam brig. What you do on the hen- coop ?' *' I contrived to get upon my legs by this time ; so I answered that 1 fell overboard in the squall, and that my messmates threw me the hencoop to keep me up, *' * Got dam,' said the man, '* what for they no pick you up ? — very bad.' ** * 15ad enough, my friend,' said I ; * I sup- pose the brig carried away something in the squall.' THK YOUNG COMMANDI'R. 217 ** * Well, never mind — you prisoner, but no harm — plenty eat and drink, and dry clothes — come along with me.* *' Well, this was decent treatment enough ; so I followed my friend into the fore-cabin, and the Frenchman lent me a change while my own clothes were drying. I got a stiff glass of brandy and some food, and was then allowed to lie down to recover mysL'lf, till morning, when I was to be overhauled by the Captain to answer some questions. " In the morning I felt little the worse for my mishap. I heard a great commotion above, men running backwards and forwiirds, so I jumped up and made my way on deck — nobody seen.ed to mind me ; but on looking about me, I saw that all hands were busy in getting their long swivel gun ready for action. It was a fine, clear morning, and a nice breeze. On looking over the side, I saw, about three or four miles to leeward of us, our little brig, the ^ Spitfire.* She was under jurymasts, and was evidcntlj VOL, I. L 218 THE YOUNG COMMAXDKR. getting up jury, toitmustsaiid yards. My friend of tlio previous night caiiuj up lo nio, and, pointing to the ISpitlire, said — '' ' That your ship, eh ?' ** * Yes/ said 1, * that's the eraft ; she was dismasted in the squall yesterday — that wa» the reason they could not pick me up.' " * You come to our Captain ; he want to ask you questions,' said the French sailor. *• So 1 followed him aft, casting a look at the huge gun that worked on a pivot, which I knew would carry nearly twice as far as any of the guns in the brig, and I guessed also what they intended to do ; for on looking aft, I per- ceived another gun-boat in the wake of the one I was in. The brig being crippled, and unable to set sail for a low hours, these boats would be terrible customers, with their long pivot-guns. "TheCi.ptain was a tall, thin man, about forty years of age, with a quick, intelligent eye. The sailor, who spoke English, and who THE YOUNO COMMANDEH. 2 . 9 had passed some time in England, a prisoner, acted as interpreter. " * How many men on board your brig ?' asked the Captain. ** I saw no harm in not exactly tolling an enemy the truth, so I said we were strong- handed — two hundred men, which was about sixty more than we had. ** * Biable P said the Captain, ^ you are strong handed. What boats has the brig ?" " A launch," said I, ^' that can carry fifty men at a pinch, two long boats, a cutter, and two gigs." " * Biable peste F again muttered the Cap- tain. " ^ She sails well,' he continued, ^ but under jury masts — her sailing is done — we shall try and take her however.' *' ' You had better Captain,' said I, very humbly, ^ let her alone, she is an ugly cus- tomer to play with.' ** * Ah,' said the Frenchman, laughing, ' wo L 2 • 220 THK YOUNG COMMANDER. shall keep clear of her guns with this fine breeze, at the same time let her feel the weight of our metal. There, you may go/ he added, * I don't consider you as a prisoner of war, picked up as you were ; you may stay on deck and see how we manage our pivot gun.' " ' Well,' thought I, to myself, as I looked up at the monstrous latine sail and yard these French gun boats carry, ' if it would only fall stark culm, you'd have to manage something else, Vm blowed if you would'nt.' I knew if it fell a stark calm, the Spitfire's boat would soon be on board, but with the nice wind blowing, those boats sail like witches. *' The Frenchman had sixty men on board, and was about eighty tons. The other, astern, was smaller, but seemed full of men. The brig was soon within range of their long gun. The boat astern keeping av,ay to open the ball on the brig's otlier quarter. '' I was in a s^tate of mortal anxiety, for I could see that the crew of the Spitlire, about L 3 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 2J1 one hundred and thirty in number, were working heart and soul to get up their jury- topmast, so as to get sail on the brig. I looked up at the sky, it was as bright as a polished mirror, but the sun was very hot ; it might fall calm if the sea breeze did not set in, for the heat of the sun generally kills the night land wind, " I watched every movement — the pivot gun was pointed, and the concert commenced with a duet from the two gun boats. They were still a little out of range, for I co lid see the balls strike the water, short of the brig ; the distance was then lessened, and the next shot from the other gun boat I could see told dismally upon the brig, knocking away the head of the fore-topmast and a lot of gear they were hoisting. I caught myself swearing and clenching my fist wheu 1 heard a cheer from the crew. Bang went the gun again, hulling the poor Spitfire, who could actually do nothing. Just as they were loading again, the huge 222 THE TOUNG COMMA]ST)ER. latine sail fell as flat as a board, then bellying out, with a strong puflP, it was its last breath, I could see the breeze gradually darkening the water, and receding from us towards the land, while to seaward, it was a stark calm. *'^ Sacre diahleP was shouted by fifty voices. *^ * The wind is done. Kow for a change,' I muttered, joyfully, to myself, * in the per- formance, my jolly boys.' " All now became bustle and confusion on board the gun boats. The Captain sung out to rig the sweeps and get back into the wind, which was still to be seen darkening the water towards the land. Out went eight immense sweeps, and I was told I must help ; well, I did so, for I could gain nothing by re- fusing, and the little I did would not save them. ^^ Like magic, four boats of the Spitfire were in the water, full of men. The French Cap- tain danced and stamped about the deck like a madman, cursing something bitterly, old Tomro ezuMAMmoL ?2 3 Boreas, I gneas, but iM Blowhaid wis not to be firighteoed ; the more tbe Frencbouui sware, the more ealm grew Ber and our liero ; they were, therefore, strong handed, and the men active and young. The yacht was a remarkably fine sea boat, strongly built, and of great beam. For eight hours the gale blew a perfect tem- pest, and it required all the skill, energy, and courage of those on board to keep lier above water, that terrible night, long remembered on the coast of Cornwall ; for no less than thirteen vessels were totally wrecked between Ply- mouth and the Land's End, most of those on board them perishing. Tiie yacht's bulwarks were shattered to pieces — her bowsprit carried away — her main boom torn from its fastenings, and her gig and small boat slove in pierces. To run uas out of the question, as the tiv- men'lous sea would have overwhelmed tuem. 230 TIIK YOUNO COMMANDER. Providentially the trysail was of rather stout canvass, and proved their salvation ; for had it split, or blown away, they must have perished. They, however, lost two foresails and two storm- jibs. The courage, energy, and daring of Henry Bond during the height of tho gale, excited the admiration of the skipper and crew, even during that terrible and anxious time. ** Towards daylight, however, there appeared a lull, and just as the dull gray light of early morning stole over the storm tossed deep, the loud boom of cannon was heard, and almost immediately another gun followed. *' ^ Some large craft in distress,' said Henry, giving himself a shake, to get rid of some of the superfluous water with which he was soaked, ^ and not very far from us either.' " There goes another gun," said the skipper; ^^hat's out of a big ship, either a man-of-war or some horaeward-boundlndiaman." TUB YOUNG COMMANDER. 281 The wind was still violent, but more from the southward and eastward, and tho weather 80 thick that they could not see more tiian a couple of hundred yards from the yacht. As the day wore on the storm decreased a little, and the crew were enabled to run out a temporary bowsprit, and reef ropes around the broken bulwarks. At midday it began to clear — the ^ Water Witch' could now lie her course, though the sea was almost too powerful for her to contend against. Just as they had run some] few miles, and shook a reef out of the trysail, Henry, who was looking astern, perceived a huge dark object loom through the haze and mist of the breaking seas. " !Mr. Seabright, look aft," exclaimed Henry ; ** I can make out a huge ship under her fore- sail, her main and mizen-masts gune." All on board now saw her plain enough; she lay over very much on one side, with her 232 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. bows Luried in the water ; slio liiul lior foresail flying, but the sheets and tacks gone. **Let us bear away for her," said Henry ; ** she looks to me, through the glass, to be sinking, and there's a crowd of men astern, and some females also." *^ That's a large ludianian, Master Henry," said the skipper, after a survey through the glass, at the disabled ship. It required some little skill to get the yacht before the wind, the sea was so high and breaking with such tremendous violence ; but they at length succeeded, and ran down towards the East Indiaman. As they ap- proached, rising on the crest of a huge billow, the little yacht looked like a cork as she dashed forward amid a cloud of spray, and passed close to the disabled ship. A loud cheer from those crowded in the stern of the ship greeted and encouraged their daring in- tention of assisting them, and a loud voice. THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 233 through a speaking-trumpet, hailed them as they shot past, saying — ^^ * We are sinking fast — our bows are stove in.' All was consternation on board the ' Water- witch' on hearing these words, and Henry Bond became greatly excited on beholding several females amongst the group on the stern all secured, for the sea made a i;lcar breach right over the illfated ship, which lay in the trough of the sea, totally at its mercy, her huge foresail being unconstrained, fl.ipping like thunder in the gale. ** Henry and the skipper consulted on the best means to be employed to get the people out of the sinking vessel. Xeither had boats, and even if they had they could not have lived in such a sea. Hear}' proposed passing close under the stern, and getting a rope on board, made fast to a cable, and then lowering their sails, get the females on board in a cradle, and slide 234 THPJ YOUNG COMMANDER. them along the cable, by keeping up their foro- sail, the yacht would keep her distance from the sinking sliip. "Tlicre docs not appear to be a third or even a fourth of her hands aboard," remarked the skipper, ^' slie must have lost most of her crew when she lost her masts. We must be very cautious, master Harry ; I will take the helm if you take change of the rope." The Water Witch was gradually nearing the ship on a wind, the best mode of approaching her. When close under her stern, they per- ceived two men with coils of rope in their hands ready to heave. The ropes were caught, and the trysail of the yacht lowered, while her foresail backed he r astern ; the crew of the sinking ship understood at once the intentions of those on board the yacht, and a cable being made fast to the ropes, it was quickly hauled up over the stern of the East Indiaman, and the sailors busied themselves in rigging a cradle of ropes, but the ship rolled so fearfully and THE TOUNQ COMMANDER, 235 heavily that Henry feared very moment she would go down. One of his men stood ready with an axe to cut away the cable, should such an event take place. In a few minutes one of the females was launched over the stern, and lowered down to the yacht, and a rope made fast to the cradle to haul it back again. Ilenry Bond was unceasing in his efforts to save the women from immersion, but it was impossible to avoid dragging them through the sea. Several of the crew of the ship came down the rope and assisted in the labour. The cradle was returning with the last o^ the females, a girl of some eight or ten years old ; by some error in the fastenings, or a tremendous roll of the ship, straining it too suddenly, the unfortunate child was pitched screaming into the boiling sea. Before the startled crew could even cast a rope, Henry, who was working without his jacket or shoes, so as to retain his footing on 236 THE YOUNG COMMANDKPw. the slippery deck, seized a coil of small rope, passed a loop over his body and plunged in after the child. A bold and splendid swimmer, he reached the girl. Five of the yacht's men seized tlie rope to haul hiiii back when necessary. Just at the point of being hurled from the summit of a wave into the abyss beneath, the child was grasped by the gallant youth, who raising him- self in the water, shouted ^* haul in ;" and were speedily brought on deck, were the child was frantically clasped in the arms of one of the ladies who had been rescued, together with the whole of the crew, and some valuable papers and their property. The Water Witch had scarcely got clear of the vessel ere it went down head foremost. The whole of these proceedings did not oc- cupy much more than an hour. Sail was now got upon the " Water Witch," and her head turned towards her destination, the gale still continuing, but gradually veering more and THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 237 nioro into the southward and westward. There were now two and titty human beings on board the little craft of only tifty tons. The captain of the East Indiaman, a fine hale old gentleman, shook Henry's hand warndy and gratefully, saying — ** How this little vessel lived through such a night as the lust amazes me ; but for the good- ness of God in keeping you up, during such a fearful storm, and so tremendous a sea, we must all have perished : I rejoice to say that all the women are saved." ^' You must have lost a great part of your crew, captain, during tlie storm," said Henry. *' Yes," returned Captain MacDowd, with a sigh, '' thirty as fine fellows as ever manned a ship perished the night before last. It was not last night's gale that was the cause of our terrible disaster. During the great storm of Tuesday, the wind sou' west, we must have been carried by a very strong current we were not aware of some milts more to the nor'ard 238 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. than we thought. The weather was very thick — a dense fog for four days previously — still I considered we were steering a fair course for the Channel, when, about two o'clock in the morning, the ship struck and broached to, and then lay over on her larboard quarter, with an awful sea going clear over her. In a minute the whole crew were upon deck. I knew we must have struck on one of the reefs off the Scilly Islands. In less than twenty minutes we werenearly dismasted— ourboatsbeat to atoms — and, as I said, thirty of my crew were washed overboard. It was an awful hour — a tremen- dous sea lifted us over the reef — and then she was got before the wind. Five of our passengers also perished — but none of the females — they remained below. We had still our foremast and foresail — and, for a few hours, we hoped she had escaped destruction — but we soon found she had stove in her bows, and that we could not hope to keep her afloat ; however, we got a thrumed sail over the leak, and THE TOUKG COilMANDRE. 230 worked the pumps, and might perhaps have reached Falmouth but for the tempest of last night, which reduced the ship to a hopeless extremity.'' Everything was done that could possibly be done to relieve the passengers and crew received on board the ** Water Witch." To supply the ladies with dry garments was out of the question, but life was saved, and that great boon made up for all other deficiencies — besides, as the wind blew they would make Falmouth or Plymouth before morning. To- wards sun-set the heavy rain that fell brought the wind into the nor'- west, but the thick weather lasted till the following day. When it cleared off, a view of the coast w^as ob- tained, and they found they had made more way than they had calculated, for they had passed the Start Point ; eonsi quently, Henry continued his course and ran into Lyme Regis before night. it is not necessary, for the future under- 240 THE YOUNG CoMMaNDEK. Btunding of our story, that we take note of more lliau two oi the passengers of the lost East ludiainan '* The Surinam." The young girl, who was saved by Henry liond, and her protectress. The former was the only daugh- ter of a ^Ir. Fleetwood, an enormously rieh English merchant, many years settled at Cal- cutta, whose wife had died when their daughter Fanny was eight years old, and, on her death- bed, had implored her distracted husband to send the child to England to be educated. In compliance with his wife's dying wishes, Mr. Fkictwood engaged a Madaiue D'Arblay, a French lady, of good family, higlily accom- plished, and of a most amiable temper and dis- position, to undertake the entire charge of his daughter. Madame D'Arblay was the wife of a French rejugte^ who, some time previous to the death of Mrs. Fleetwood, had gone to France to take part in a projected revolution, and had left his wife in Calcutta, with the promise of sending TIIE TOUNQ COMMAXD'^R. 2 I for him as soon ag ho had been re-instatcd ifi his estates, which had been confiscated. No inteUigenco of him had ever reached his wife, and, consequently, she was *;lad to avail her- self of Mr. Fleetwood's otter of going to Eng- land with his daughter. Mr. Fleetwood determined, at length, to send Fanny and her protectress to England to reside with his brother, one of the wealthiest merchants in London, a bachelor, of a most generous and liberal disposition. Accordingly, Madame D'Arblay, who de- .-]»jired of ever hearing more of her husband, and fearing he had fallen a victim to his rash- ness, and love of revolutionary principles, em- barked, with her little charge, in the ^' Suri- nam," a noble ship of a thousand tons burden, for England, which they would never have reached but for the gallantry and courage of Henry Bond and the yacht's crew. On reaching Lyme K'^gis, Madame D'Arblay VOL. I. M 242 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. wa.s taken ill, and unable tu continue her journey to Londun. Mr. Tarks, on li earing the name of Fleet- wood, hurried down to the iuu where Madame D'Arblay was located, and had an interview witii her. Miss Fleetwood's uncle, Mr. George Fleet- wood, of London, was one of Mr. Parks's oldest friends and schoolfellows ; for years he had managed all his law affairs, and was still transacting business for him. lie persuaded Madan^e D'Arblay and her charge to take up their abode with him at Bellevue, and at the same time promised to write to Mr. George Fleetwood, explain their situation, and propose to him that they should sp>end the winter with his niece instead of going to London. The young girl was in raptures — she would be near her young preserver, for whom she already experienced the most intense interest and affection, and Henry himself felt the love THE YOUNG COMMANDKR. 24 3 of a brother for the beautiful child he had saved from a watery grave. Mr. Fleetwood immediately wrute a very kind letter of thanks to Henry, and an- other to his old friend Parks. He was, un- fortunately, at that time, confined to his room by the gout, but fully acquiesced in his friend's wishes. lie also wrote to Madame D'Arblay, enclosing her a check for two hundred pounds, telling her to want for nothing, and that the moment his rascally enemy quitted his ex- tremities he would come to see her and his little niece. A month afterwards, a n^agnificent piece of plate arrived at Grange Uouse from the princely merchant for young Henry Bond, with tv'o hundred pounds for the crew of the *^ Water Witch," and one hundred pounds for the skipper. During the six months Fanny Fleetwood re- mained at Mr. Parks's, Little Fan, as she was usually called, was daily and almost hourly at M 3 244 'llii. iUvSO COMMANDER. the Grange ; her affection for Henry became the great leading object of her young life. She was a most amiable child, and, under the tuition of the accomplished and charming Madame D'Arbhiy, she bid fair to be very clever. It was a sad day to Fan, and one of sincere regret to Henry, when Madame D'Arblay and her charge left the hospitable roof of Mr. Parks for her uncle's mansion in London, she thought her little heart would break — and nothing but the solemn promise of IMadamc D'Arblay, that she would prevail on her uncle? to let her spend the next autumn at Grange House, as Mr. Bond kindly invited them to do, could console her on leaving. A strange feeling was that in the heart of the young girl for her preserver. When near him, she watched his every look ; if he painted THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 245 she was by his side eagerly trying to interpret even his thoughts ; if he rode out to hunt, she listened for every sound, to cutch the weli- known step of his horse^s feet ; or if he sailed in the yacht, her eyes never left the buy till he returned. Every one could see the devo- tion of this young child, scarcely thirteen years old, for the noble-looking and hiindsorae boy, that played and romped with her like a child himself. It was an affection grafted into lier heart that neither time or absence woul I ever weaken. The following autumn, Madame D^Arblay and her interesting charge passed three months at the Grange and three months at Mr. Parks'. No intelligence could be obtained of Monsieur D'Avblay, though Madame wrote several letters to persons she formerly knew in Paris ; but the revolution was advancing with 'J 16 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. gigantic strides ; the govcrumont of Louis the Sixteenth was overturned, his life threatened, and France, convulsed to her centre, awaited the issue in trembling anxiety. Mr. Parks, after various consultations with the most eminent lawyers, was forced to aban- don all attempts to reinstate the heir of Tre- gaunon in his birth-right. One of Ilenry's sisters, the eldest, had married and gone into Germany — the youngest, Mary, said to be a most amiable and beatitiful girl, corresponded with Mrs. Bond, and seemed most anxious and desirous of believing that her little brother Claude still lived ; but Lady Trecastle, though otherwise a most amiable and kind-hearted woman, would not listen to any reasoning on the pubject, styling the affair a most artful im- position on the Bonds, being fully persuaded her brother perished in the manner stated. THE YOUNG COMMANDRR. 247 Mr. Bond was furious. ** Ah !'' said he, '* the old story — if James Tregaunon dies without hoirs tlio property would go to their cliildren. This prospect blinds them, and deadens all the natural good feelings in their hearts. Let it be, I shall still, thank God, be able to leave our dear boy a handsome independence. Confound my miserly cousin, I wish he would die before me, the estate would then be mine to will. I must set about making my will the moment Parks returns from London. Harry will stay two years at Oxford — after tliat, we shall see bow to act." 248 TJIE lOUNG COMM WDKR. CILVrTER XIII. lIiNiiY Bond was approaching his twentieth year, and within a few months of quitting Ox- ford for Grange House. Once only, during the last two years, had he seen Fanny Fleet- wood, who having had the advantage of the best masters in London, excelled in most ac- complishments. She was paying her last visit to Mr. Parks's, for Madame D'Arblay thought it more than probable that they would return to India the following year. Fanny was almost too young to know exactly what love was, but THE YOUNO COMMANDER. 240 she felt that the happiness of her life would be for ever clouded tho day she sailod fur India. About this time the fever, that the two pre- vious years had visited tho coast, begau to spread with fatal violence. It was thought very little of at first, but like all those terrible scourges that periodically visit the earth and bweep off thousands of the human race, it felt its way slowly but surely, gradually gain- ing strength with each new victory, till in its might and power it made mankind tremble. In the summer of 179 — it spread to a most alarming extent at Weymouth, Charmouth, and Lyme Kegis. One morning, at an early hour, Henry was roused from his slumbers by his attendant entering his room — *^0h, sir!" exclaimed the man, "I have shocking intelligence to impart," at the same time handing a letter to our hero in his nucleus band-writing, ** tliat was brought, sir, by u M 5 2C0 TIIR YOUNG COMMANDER. special mosseugcr. The man says, poor Mr. Parks is dead !" "Good God!" exclainiod lloiiry springing from lus bed and in great grief tearing open his uncle's letter. It was written in great agitation, and contained but few lines : " My Dkar Boy, *' Your poor a nit is attacked by tlic fever. God help u^ '. kind hearted Parks is dead, after only five 1 iirs' suffering. I wish to see you — and yet, it is better you should stay away. I am quite distracted and miserable, may God spare my beloved Ellen to me. * * Your 1 Mi '. g unci e, ^' ITrkrtBond." ** William !" exclaimed Ilonry, " order u THE YOUNQ COMMANDER. 201 chaise and four horses instantly. I shall bti ready before they are here, lose not a moment. My God, my poor aunt, ah I feel I shall never see her more alive, and my kind warm hearted friend Parks dead !" Tale and agitated, Henry could scarcely finish his dressing, or write a hasty note to his tutor, to explain the reason of his sudden de- parture. In less than an hour he was rolling over the road to Exeter through Bath as fast as four horses and postillions doubly paid could urge them ; his thoughts during his long journey were terrible. Without pausing on the roaJ, excepting merely to change horses, he reached the lodge gate of Grange House. One glance at the sobbing Mrs. Horn, the gate- keeper's wife, smote upon liis heart, and before she told the sad tale, he had suspected the truth, lii.s aunt, his kind, loving, noble hearted aunt, she ^^ ho had saved him from a life of misery, per- haps, of shame, was d<'ad, and his beloved 252 TllR YuUNG COMMANDtR. uncle attacked ! This was appalling intelli- gence. He felt a chill like that of death creeping (»ver him, as he leaped from the chaise which ho prevented proceeding up the avenue ; he Avalked raj)idly up to the mansion. The ser- vants that received him were in tears ; theie were five besides his uncle in the house pros- trated by the fever. In the hall bo encoun- tered Mr. Howard the venerable vicar of the parish. ^* Oh, my dear boy T' exclaimed the uld man grasping his hand, ^' this is a great trial for you to bear, God in His mercy give you strength and resignation to bend to His decrees. You had better not, however, incur unnecessary risk, you cannot be of service as there are two eminent physicians from Exeter in the chamber with your uncle." " Alas ! my dear sir, by his bed-side is my place were 1, to incur a hundred deaths ; may God in His mercy restore him !" and with the tears streaming from his eyes, he rushed up TirP. YOUNG COM^kTAXDER. 253 the staira, and the next instaut was kneeling by the bed-side, and bathing the hand of his kind benefactor with passionate tears of love and deep sorrow. For three days and nights the strong constitu- tion of Mr. Bond struggled with the destroyer, and during that time Henry scarcely left the room. Though his uncle did not speak, except when raving, it was quite evident to Henry that he saw and recognised him ; he felt his burning hand press his, and his eyes once or twice resting on his with such a look of fond affection, that Henry's heart beat with agony. Alas ! he hoped against hope, for the physi- cians declared there was no chance of life. The last night of this painful struggle, it chanced that Henry, towards twelve o'clock, happened to bo alone in the chamber with his uncle ; one ot the doctor's felt ill, the other was seeking an hour's repose, the night nurse was below for some prepuration she was niak- 254 THE TOUNO COMMANDKR. ing. For the four previous hours Mr. Bond lay upon his back apparently fast asleep, the eyes quite closed, the lips a little apart breath- ing gently as an infant, and strange to say, there was a slight tinge of colour in the sunken cheek ; his right hand and arm lay stretched out on the quilt, there was a profound stillness in the chamber, and the shaded light of the lamp fell dimly on the face of the sleeper, on which Henry was gazing earnestly, and oh, how painfully. Suddenly the hand that lay on tlic bod was raised, and Henry distinctly caught the low murmur of his uncle's voice — '^ Henry, my boy, my beloved boy, hearken to my last words, I cannot see you, but I feel you are near me." These words were only audible by Henry's placing his ear near to the lips of the dying man, he hardly breathed as those low anxious sounds were uttered in his ear. ^' Your father, my poor boy, was murdered by that villain, James Tregaunon. Yes," he mur- THE TOUNO COMMAXDER. 'Ih-J iiiin-C(l iu the ear of the scarcely breathing youth, " he killed him. I see it all now in this my last hour. 'My will — I die without signing my will !" The lips closed, but the hand was raised and pointed towards heaven — tlie next instant it fell heavily on the bed, and as Ilonry pressed a passionate kiss upon his benefactor's lips, his spirit fled, and the youth became insensible. TIIK YOUNG COMMANDER. CHAPTEE XIV Ouu hero continued in an insensible state lur several weeks ; it was not, however, the pre- vailing epidemic that had attacked him. The shock he had so suddenly received, his intense grief at the loss of his aunt, his uncle's strange words at the moment the hand of death was upon Iiiiii — his havirg partaken of no sus- tenance from the period of leaving Oxford, and for many hours after his arrival at Grange House, all together acting on his strong frame, prostrated Loth mind and body. THE YOUNG COMMANDER. - ,) i When he first uuclosed his eyes with return- ing consciousness, he gazed bewildered on the objects around him. Gradually his inemury returned, and, with a heavy sigh, he remem- bered that he was now alono in the world — aunt, uncle, and even the good-hearted and warm friend, Lawyer Parks, all were gone. Tears, those outpourings of the heart, came to his relief, and after a time he again looked around him. A profound stillness reigned in the chamber, broken only by the low murmur- ing voice of an elderly woman, who, seated near the window with a small table before her, was reading the Bible. A glance convinced him that he was no longer in Grange House, for every chamber in it was familiar to him. He was evidently in a cottage chamber, the roof low, the two windows small and glazed with diamond-shaped panes inserted in lead. Everything around and about him was scrupu- lously clean and snowy white; the windows were open, and a cool, delicious breeze, gcntlo 258 THE YOUNG COMMAND VR. as a zephyr, lifted the light gauze blinds that softened the bright beams of a June sun. He looked at the old dame, and thought her fea- tures were familiar to him, but he could not quite recollect where he had seen them ; he wondered much where he was, and again he shut his eyes, for the old nurse rose, closed her Bible, and left the room. A minute or two after he heard the door again open, and, again unclosing his eyes, he fixed them on the person who was entering, for there were no curtains to the bed. Henry folt his heart throb almost violently as his gaze rested on the figure of a young girl in deep mourning. As she closed the door she raised her eyes, and they met those of Henry. With a wild cry of rap- turous joy she looked up to heaven, and then rushing to the side of the bed, fell upon her knees, exclaiming — ^' Oh ! Henry, Henry ! blessed be God, He has restored you to my prayers !" and bending that beautitul head, she covered the hand trem- THE YOUXa COMMANDER. 259 blingly held out towards her with a torrent of tears. " Fanny, beloved Fanny, is it indeed you ?'' murmured Henry, in a voice choking with emotion. ^' I am not then alone in the world." ** Alone, Henry !" exclaimed the young girl, in a voice of touching affection, and almost reproach, " Oh, no, not while Fanny — your own Fanny, for her life is yours — not while life is spared to her." Thus, in that moment of returning recollec- tion did those two young hearts, loving from early years, become united and bound toge- ther by a tie that neither time, or suffering, or separation, had ever the power to sunder. Madame D'Arblay hearing the sound of voices from the adjoining room, hastened to learn the cause, accompanied by Hannah. All were rejoiced to see the improvement in their charge, but Madame D'Arblay insisted on their withdrawing, for she feared the over exertion and excitement might bring on a relapse. 2C0 THR YOUNG COMMANDER. Fanny Fleetwood, with joy in her young heart, and a look of fond affection at llcnry, and promising to return, for a few minutes, in the evening, retired, leaving him to repose, for so extremely weak had the long continu- ance of the fever left him, that even the few words he had spoken nearly overpowered him. A draught from the hand of Hannah, and a refreshing sleep, restored him greatly before uicrht. The following evening, Hannah sat by his bed-side, previously to the visit from Fanny, who, with Madame D'Arblay resided in a cot- tage close by. He begged the faithful young woman to explain all the past to him, promis- ing to remain silent and listen, and above ail, to tell him how long he had been ill. ** Nine weeks," said Hannah, " nine long weeks ; five of them that dear angel of a girl spent in this chamber, watching every change in your wasted features, always hoping, always saying, God would spare you, and He has — for THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 2ol you have had a terrible struggle with death. I was nearly worn out when that dear girl and kind madanie arrived from London. Oh, the agony that beautiful girl suffered when she first saw you." ** But how came I here ?" asked Henry, the tears streaming from his eyes as he thought of the devotion of Fanny, braving the temble malady that had carried off fco many, to nurst- and watch over him. Hannah sighed, for she could not but weep over the recollection of the once happy home they had all enjoyed under the roof of Grange House. ^' You ask me where you are, Mister Heur}'. Alas ! we are no longer under our old roof, but you are not far from it, you are in the cot- tage on Charmouth Cliff, belonging to good Mrs. Sims, mother, you know, to Mrs. Horn, the gatekeeper's wife of Grange house." ^* All, ycfl, 1 remember her well," said 262 THB YOUNG COMMANDEE. Henry, ^' now I suppose Mr. Eobert Curtis Bond is the possessor of Grange House." ^' The wretch ! The miserable, miserly wretch," exclaimed Hannah, in a tone of ex- citement. ^' Yes ; three days after our poor master and mistress's death, this vile, heartless man arrived. Imagine to yourself a man thin as a lath, full six feet high, with a face like a hatchet, his garments threadbare, and so tight on his miserable legs, that he looked like a scarecrow upon stilts, and yet he had a dark, savage scowl upon his features, with his great bushy overgrown eyebrows. Oh, how 1 wished, God forgive me, that he might catch the fever; but law bless me, even the fever would not prey upon such a starved carcise as his. When the first dinner he eat in the house, was served up to hiui, he groaned and ground his teeth like a maniac, crying out, *^ Oh, Lord, oh, Lord, look at this shameful waste and extravagance." The next thing he THE YOUKG COMMANDER. 26 ) did, even before the remains of your aunt and uncle were carried to their last resting place, was to order your removal from beneath his roof. There, don't flush in the cheek and put 3'our poor wasted frame into a nervous fit," pleaded Hannah, soothingly, '^you would not think the words or con\as astounded, for you are aware she did not know your early history ; so I told her all, and that all was true what you said, except, indeed, that your poor father was murdered by James Tregannon, that was the raving of fever ; I told her how your father took poit-on by mis- take in a fit of grief on Isjsing you ; thus, you see, the dear young lady knows everything. Until she got my letter she had no intelligence THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 269 of your illnc3s, and when she did hear of it, nothing would do but to come down here, and attend on you ; indeed madamo herself was moat anxious, and Mr. Fleetwood otfered no objection ; so you see, Mr. Henry, you have many kind hearts to think of you and to love you." " Your's is a kind, good, heart, llannab," said our hero, with much emotion ; " I should be a very ungrateful being if I felt not the deepest gratitude for the devotion and tender- ness you have displayed." ** Never mind that. Master Ilenry, get well, that's the first thing ; after that, we will soon set things to rights. Xow, try and get a little sleep — for Miss Fanny and madame will be here in a couple of hours ; in the meuntiuie you shall have a nice cup of tea — all you want now is to get strength." So saying, the affectionate and devoted Hannah rose up, settled some things in the 270 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. room, and retired, insisting on her charge trying to sleep, lie certainly closed his eyes to please her, but the vision of Fanny Fleetwood drove away all repose. THE TOU^O COMMANDER. liZl CniPTER XIV. It was now the mouth of July, and Madame D'Arhluy and her charge had returned to Loudon. Our hero was sufficiently recovered to take exercise iu the open air, and was rapidly regaining his former strength and vigour ; but his spirits had received a shock which nothing but time could restore. We leave the parting of these two young people to the imagination of our readers, but we recal a conversation a few days prior to their leave- taking. 272 THE Y0UN3 COMMANDER. Could the future look dark and gloomy at their age, when all appeared sunshine ? No dark clouds were allowed to throw a shadow over the path before them. Henry sat, when able to leave his room, on the rustic seat before the cottage door — Fanny by his side — the scene before and around them was bright and beautiful enough had they thought of looking at it — but Henry looked ouly into the deep blue loving eyes of the sweet girl beside him, and Fanny saw nothing but her lover. They talked over the past, but they allowed their thoughts to rest only on the present, having the future to rrovidence, and, in some respects, it was wise to do so, for many poison the present by anticipating evils in the future, that never occur except in the foreboding mind of the dreamer. Fanny listened to Ilcnry^s account of the past — his early years — the cruel usage he had received, and the fond affection of his lost re- TIIK TdUNG COMMANDFR. J< > Iativc3, the Bonds, liis utterly helpless position, without a name, Nvithout fortune or station. ^* How then," he cried, "can I expect to win this dear hand ?" And he pressed the one he held fondly to his lips. " Quite eisily, my own Harry,'' returned the girl, with her bri^^ht, sunny, smile. ''In the first place, the said hand you have already got possession of, and my poor heart with it. We are both too young to be forging difficiil- ties for ourselves. You have promised faith- fully to come to London in September, to see uncle George, who already loves you, though he has never seen you, for you were absciit when he came to the Grange ; and you have promised not to think of that scheme of yours of volunloeriug into the navy, because tlu^ l>uke of Clarence and many of the nobles and gentry of England have done so, till you !iav(» seen hiui. Then you say you have no na:iu'. Take vour own, dear Harry," added the fair 274 THE TOUNO COMMANDER. girl, with a kindling of her deep blue eyes, that showed, young as she was, there was spirit and energy in that gentle heart, if circum- stances required its display. ** Take your own name of Claude Trcgannon ; and let any man dare say you have no right or title to it.'^ *^ My own glorious Fanny,'' said Henry, his pale check tinging with a colour long absent from it, " I will do so ; for I ought to assert my right to my name; let the villain who seeks to deprive me of it, prove I have no claim to it." " Well then, we will leave all the rest till we meet in September. Hannah, when you arc well enough to go on your search for the cave in Cornwall, will come up to London to live with me. Madame is particularly partial to her." ** And most truly she deserves it ; she has been unceasing in her affection, and, but for her steady attachment, I might never have lived to bo blessed with your presence." THE YOUNG COMMANDHR. 273 Thus communed those young hearts, and thus they parted — loving and hoping, and trusting, with pure faith, in the future. After the departure of Madame D'Arblay and her charge, Claude Tregannon, as he henceforth determined to call himself, let who would dispute his title to the name, set about ascertaining in what kind of position he really stood. Miss Parks had returned to her father in London, who was busy arranging his brother's affairs, for, strange to say, he also died without a will ; but as his brother was next heir, there was no difficulty in the arrangement. Some five years previously, he had made his niece Margaret a present of five thousand pounds, which he laid out advantageously for her. To Henry she was a sincere friend ; and, previously to leaving Bellovue, assured him ot ber desire of assisting him by every means in her power. It was grateful to Ilenry^s feeling heart to find ho possessed such firm and true 276 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. friends. Every day, for an hour, he was ac- t iistomcd to wander to the picturesque and beau- titul church, where rested his beloved aunt and uncle, wliose love and attention he could never forget. Tlie fever still continued to carry oflf its victims ; amongst the last was the venerable Mr. Howard. Claudo being completely restored to health, prepared for his departure into Cornwall, feel- ing an ardent desire to behold Tregannon House, and have a search for the cave, where Janiea Tregannun was supposed to have been concealed, previous to and after his abduction from Tre- gannon. The words of his uncle — that his father had been murdered by James Tregannon — made a deep impression ou his mind. At first he cunsidered they were the result of disordered intellect brought on by the fever, as he could not see how it was po. sible that such should be the case, after all the evidence and proof brought forward that the late liaronet unin- tentionally poisoned himself. Still those words THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 277 coming from his uncle, when the kst breath of life was escaping from his lips, so solemnly, su emphatically pronounced, looked as if the dying man was inspired with a divine light, and uttered tho words in the firm belief that he revealed tho truth. The more he pondered over them, the more he became convinced that such, after all, might be the fact. He begau calmly to arguo the case with himself. James Tregannon, no doubt, was well acquainted with every inch of tho mansion ; was it not possible he miglit have entered by some secret way, and getting, in the dead hour of the night, into his father's room, have forced the poison down his throat. The feaiful shriek heard by several, and by his own man, was a strange circumstance in itself; he, therefore, resolved to minutely examine Tregannon llouso and grounds, if ho could gain permission to do so, and also to search for the cave. On lookuig ov(T his cfFeots and means, he found he was just master of about seven hundred and fil'ty 278 THE YOUKO COMMANDER. pounds, after selling his horses and Bomo sport- ing articles ho had no longer use for. The splendid plato presented to him by Mr. Fleet- wood and the owners of the " Surinam," he had packed up and forwarded to London to the care of the kind-hearted Mr. Saunders. It was a great consolation to his generous heart to know that notwithstanding his altered position in the world, the friends of Mr. Bond all evinced the greatest kindness to- wards him. Several sent most friendly letters — for while the fever raged along tho coast, most of the country families had deserted the vicinity, oflforing services, and inviting him on his convalescence to come and spend some time with them. He also received a letter irom a very dear friend and companion of his at Oxford, tho Honourable Frederic Delaware, whom he had saved from drowning, and who was well ac- quainted with all his previous history. Frederic Delaware was destined lor tho THI YODNU COilMANDER. 279 Church, his father having some interest in that quarter ; his elder brother was in the Guards. Frederic, however, was not at all inclined for Church preferment, and wrote to Claude, and after stating his deep regret on hearing of his bereavement, and altered position in the world, invited him to join him in volunteering into the navy, that the Duko of Clarence and many of the young nobility and gentry had, on the declaration of war against France, volunteered to serve, and that he had obtained leave from his father to do so, and trusted that Claude, with his love for the sea, and his perfect knowledge of navigation, would join him.* ♦ At this period many young men of distino;ui8hcJ families, following the example of the Duke of Clarence, began to flock into the navy. One ship was remarkable for the number on board. The youngsters were accuH- toaied to reef and furl the mizcn topsail. They were aloft one day furling the sail, when tho Captain of the 280 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. This proposal Claudo would most willingly have agreed to but for his promise to Fanny. Having, with great difficulty, prevailed upon good Mrs. Sims to accept remuneration for the use of her cottage, and her kind attention to him during his long illness, he set out for Cornwall, having first seen Hannah leave for London. lie reached Truro on the third day, and having only a very small portmanteau, and wishing to avoid all public places, he set out, on foot, from Truro, to a little hamlet, now called King Harry, and situated on a bend of the Iliver Fal, called King Harry's ship sung out, " My Irds nnJ gentlemen, and you ritrlit honourable lubbers on fhe mizentoisail yard, furl that sail, and come down out ol tliat."->-Life of Karl St. Vincent. THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 281 Eeach. This village was within a mile or so of Tregannoii Park. There he found a neat country inn, with a ferry to the opposite side of the river, there being no bridge over tho Fal, till it reaches tho town of Truro. The landlady was a widow, advanced in years, and a highly respectable old dame she seemed. 'Besides keeping tho little inn, her two sons farmed a considerable extent of land beloni>- o ing to the estate of Tregannou. It was evening when Claude arrived with his little portmanteau in his hand, his fuc^ flushed with exercise, his strength and health quite restored, and though attired in an ex- tremely plain suit of mourning, his noble figure, and the same singular beauty of feature his father was so remarkable for, attracted, im- mediately, any one ho addressed. The dame was seated under tho rustic porch of the inn, covered with the blossoms of various parasite plants ; she was busy knitting, with her spectacles on her nose, at the same time read- 282 TUE YOUNO COMMANDER. ing a large old family bible, aud, ai times, watching the ferry boat that was comiug over from the opposite side, with some cattle. The river ran calm and tranquil before the cottage door, aud a deep laden sloop was working slowly up with the tide ; it was a calm, peaces ful scene to look upon, in a fine, clear, warm evening in July, with the last rays of the* setting sun catching here aud there an open glen to play upon the water, while the deep shadows of the noble trees on the high banks stretched righb across the stream. Our hero approached the porch, and the old dame taking off her spectacles, looked into tifl face as he addressed her in his musical voice, saying— '' Pray, my good dame, can you give me accommodation for a week or so. I am an amateur artist, and I have heard a great deal of the beauty of this district." As the old dame listened to his voice, and gazed anxiously and earnestly into his face, THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 283 the tears came into her eyes, some strange Hash of memory darting through her brain ; wiping them away with the corner of her apron, she got up, and dropping a curtsey, said — " Surely, sir, surely we can accommodate you. Lord bless me I'^ she added, with a sigh, looking earnestly into his face, " what strange fancies do come into old people^s heads ; please to excuse mo, sir, but indeed, indeed, you do 80 put me in mind of times past, that I cannot but belieye I am dreaming. Jessie, girl, come here." She called out through the open window. " Why, my good dame," said Claudo, with an eager and natural curiosity, as she was putting aside her knitting and bible, ^' why do I put you in mind of past times V^ *^ Lord bless me, that voice of yours, sir, makes my heart thril. I'm a queer old body, sir, and live much in the past, as most old people do. Beg your parllon, sir," turning to a very pretty rosy girl, who just then came out 284 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. from the Iioubc. ^' Get the little bed-room and front-room ready, Jessie, for this young gentleman, he is going to stay with us for a week, he says, and take his portmanteau up stairs." Jessie ventured a look at the tall and hand- some youth before her, and then took his portmanteau. ^' Will you please to sit down in this porch, sir, 'tis a very pleasant evening, and the heat of the day is now passed ; your room will be ready very soon — would you like to have tea, or perhaps you have not dined." " I shall be quite content with a cup of tea," said our hero, sitting down and gazing upon the river. He did not like to question the dame further at that moment, but he felt satisfied that she must liavc known his father and all his family, having been many years resident on the estate ; for he understood that the Tregaunon property extended a considerable distance up and down THE YOUNG COMMANDKR. 285 the river. He sat for half an Lour under the porch, musing deeply, and attracted at times by the boats and smacks coming up with the tide. *^Now, sir/' said Dame Treestrail, ''your rooms are ready, and your tea also.'' The sun had set, and a deep shadow spread over the scene, as Claude rose and followed his landlady up stairs into a small, but very neat sitting-room, the windows of which faced the river. Candles were lighted, and the tea and toast placed upon the table. Everything looked comfortable, and the old dame seemed pleased when he expressed himself to that effect. ** Ah ! sir, I do not know how it is," she said. ^" but I think I'm a dreaming:: when I shut my eyes and hear your voice, it's so like — dear me, it's so very like — " *' Pray take a chair, dame," said Claude, ^^ for you have made made me very curious ; besides I wish to ask you a few questions about Tregannon House. " 286 THE YOUNG COMMAKDER. **Lord bless me, sir," said the landlady, ** did you sny Trcgannon ?" ** Yes, Tregannon," returned our hero ; " living so near to it, no doubt you know all about the place." '* Lord love ye, my good sir, I lived two- and-twenty years in Trcgannon House. I know all about it," she added, with a heavy sigh. " Yes, in truth I do, and a noble family they were. I am proud to say, sir," continued the old dame, ^' that I was the nurse to the late Baronet, Sir Henry Claude Tregannon ; and when I married my poor man, who has now been dead nigh seventeen years, my kind, generous master bestowed this house and fif- teen acres of land on me and mine for ever, and also let us the little farm adjoining at a very low rent. But since Sir Henry's un- fortunate death, the agent of the present master made us pay three times the rent, or give up the farm ; but the Lord's name be praised, my sons were well to do, and sooner THE YOUNO COIIMANDER. 287 than give up the farm after holding it so many years, we gave ^Ir. Stoneheugo the sum he required. All the tenants' rents arc raised, and many ot them say that they will give up their farms when their leases are out." *' You said my voice reminded you of some one." " Lord bless me, yes ; it's as like as any two human voices can be — to say nothing of your wonderful resemblance — to — to the late Baro- net's — oh dear, oh dear, if that poor, dear boy had lived that was drowned in this here river, he couldn't have grown up more like hia father than you are, sir. I hope you will par- don my saying so. Ah ! it was a woful day, that day — it's now — let me see — for I ought to remember it well — for my pjor man was on his death-bed that very day ; yes — seventeen years a^o and a few months. If he were alive now, he would just be your age, to judge by your looks, sir." ** Who lives in Trcgannon House now ?" 2S8 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. demanded Claude, after a short pause. ''Any of the family ?" *' Lord bless ye, no sir. The family be all gone out of this country. Three fine girls they were, of difTerent mothers, but all hand- some girls. Miss Mary, the prettiest, is the only one unmarried. Then came the pro- sent Baronet — " The old lady shook her head. " He did not stay long. I remember him well ; for although I was married and settled here years before he came to Tregannon, yet scarcely a day passed but I saw some of the family, or went up to the house to see my master. Ah ! he was a sad boy, but a worse man. Laws me ! how I am talking to a stranger ; and yet 1 can't think, sir, but you must be, in some way or other, connected with the Tregannon family. Is that the case, sir?" *' Did you ever hear of Mrs. Bond, of Grange House, in Dorsetshire ?" asked Henry. " Lord be good to us ! sure ly you do mean my poor master's sister, Mistress Ellen Tre- THE TOUNO COMMANDER. 289 gaimon, as was, before she married Mr. J]o!id. Ah I she was a kind, loving soul, and dearly loved her brother ; and yet, poor erring mortals that we are, Sir Ueury did nut love his sister as fondly as she loved him. Perhaps she tried too much to break him of some queer fancies he had, and you know, sir, young as you are, it's very hard to break oneself of thin;;s one feels accustomed to — and then we don't always love those best who wish us well ; but, pardon me, sir, I never heard that Mrs. Bond had any children." And Dame Trecstrail looked very earnestly into the face of Claude, whoso check Hushed under her inquisitive gaze. ^' My name is Bond," he at length said; " you, perhaps, heard of my aunt and uncle's death, from the terrible fever that raged some months ago on the Dorset coast." ** Dead ! Mrs. Bond, Ellen Tregannon that was, dead !" exclaimed the old dame, in a tone of bitter grief, '*and I live to hear it, I that VOL. I. 290 THE youNO commander. am past my eightieth year I Alas ! alas ! what a world it is ; I have outlived all those I lorcd and honoured. And so you are a nephew of Mr. Bond; wt^ll-a-day, why you should be so like to Sir Henry Tregannon is very wonderful." ** You Lave not told me who lives iu Tre- gannon House." *^ Nobody resides in the house, sir — that is, none of the family, since the attorney, Mr. Stonehenge, went off to America ; did you hear of that, sir?" *' Yes," returned Claude, ^' I heard ho made away with fifty thousand pounds, raised upon the estate, and by James Tregannon insuring his lile." ** Well, sir — I heard after that the lenders got possession of the estates, and then a Lon- don lawyer and two gentlemen came down here and formally took possession, and went round to all the tenants and settled the paying of the rents. My eldest son, who was a great favourite with my poor master, took the THE YOUNQ COMMANDER. 291 gardeus and tho lawn of twenty-two acres, and the two small farms adjoining this, and under- took to keep the house, etc., in repair, and he and his family live in it. llis eldest daughter was married some little time back to a young surgeon, who is doing very well in Loudon, and, indeed, we are all well and prospering; but we never forget the loss of our dear master's son ; it continually haunts my son Nicholas's mind that the body that was buried was not our mastcr^s child ; but, good Lord, who's else could it be, in the dress of the poor boy ?'■ Claude listened in a musing mood for several minutes, and then said — *' Your son, I hope, will permit me to see the house and grounds ; my uncle told mo there were some fine family pictures in the great gallery, and that the pleasure gardens and grounds about tho house were very beau- tiful," ** Oh, dear me, sir — you will be very wel- come to go there every day, if you please ; 3 292 IHE YOUNG COMMANDER. everything is just as it was — nothing touched. Ah, sir, you will see a full length portrait of my dear master, and Lord bless me, except that you bo hotter and stronger made, you be his very image ; and then you will sec a beau- tiful picture of his second wife, the mother of his beautiful boy, that God took to himgelf. Woe's me, he was too lovely a child to live !'* Our hero felt a strong ^ish to reveal him- self, but was restrained, for many reasons ; therefore, after some further trifling observa- tions, the hostess left him to himself. She, however, sent for her son, formerly the head gardener of the late Baronet, a highly respectable man, well brought up, and pos- sessing great taste in ornamenting and laying out grounds, lie was at this time about forty- eight years of age, and had five children, three grown up daughters, the two youngest living with him iu Treganuon House. Later iu the evening, Claude was sitting reading, when a tap at the door inteirupted THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 29 3 Liiu. Ou his saying eomo in, DainoTrccstrairs soa entered the room ; no doubt the old land- lady had been talking to him of the extra- ordinary likeness of her lodi^cr to his late master ; for he came in with a strange, anxious expression on his intelligent and ex- pressive features, and as Claude Tregannon rose, and looked him full in the face, the light falling strongly on his features, the man staggered back, his cheek actually becoming pale from agitation and astonishment. '* Good God," he exclaimed, "am I dream- ing, sir ? sir," he added, leaning forward his face now flushed to crimson, "excuse me — you are not who yo'.i say you are — I cannot be deceived — you may take me for a madman — but were i brought before any court in great Britain, I would swear ou the Holy Book that you are the lost son of my old master, Sir Henry Claude Tregannon. 1 always said the body found wis not his — I could have taken uiy oath of it. Oh, sir,'' he added, the tears Ilowing froai liis 294 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. eyes from excess of agitation and the memory of the past. Claude stood irresolute and sur- prised, so irresistible was the manner and ap- peal of Mr. Treestrail — '' Good God, sir, speak to mo — let me hear your voice — do not be afraid to speak, or answer me — I would lay down my life tliis moment for the son of my beloved master." Our hero was affected by the sincere and earnest manner of Mr. Treestrail ; and, holding out his hand, he said — *^ You are deceived, Mr. Treestrail, perhaps, by a strange resemblance." *' No, no, no," interrupted the man, again turning pale ; and grasping Claude's hand with eagerness ho suddenly pushed up the loose sleeve of his coat, and, baring his arm nearly to tlie elbow, he gazed up(m the musf^ular arm of the youth, and his eye rested upon an al- most obliterated mark or cicatrice below the elbow ; with a passionate exclamation, he threw his arms round the young man's neck, THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 205 embracing him with all the fondness and de- votion of a parent. *' Ah, my God, sir, why wish to hide or disguise yourself from John Treestrail, who loved your father better than himself? Where have you been, sir, these long years past ? Why let a villain rob you of your birthright ?" Claude was completely overcome by the earnest and vehement affection exhibited by John Treestrail. The mark on his arm he had never paid any attention to — and yet John Treestrail had at once searched for this, and, having seen it, became satisfied, past any one's power to shako his belief, that he was Sir Kenry Tregannon's son. *' I will not deny to you now, Mr. Trees- trail," sail our hero, making him sit clown beside him, ** that I consider myself to bo the son of Sir Henry Trcgannon." ** God bless you ! you could not deceive me," said Mr. Treestrail, with a smile of de- 296 THE TOUNG COMMANDER. light, uud prcbsiug the youug muu's hand for- vcDtly. "We will talk over this another time; I will explain everything to you to-morrow when I intend visiting you at Treganuon ; but an- swer me one question — why did you seem so anxious to examine that slight mark on my arm ?" " Because, my dear young master, because I myself, unintentionally, intlicted the wound that left that mark — and I will tell you how, though my mind is in a state of such excite- ment and bewilderment that I can scarcely collect and put together the thousand strange ideas and images Hitting through my brain. When you were about two years old, your lamented father came with you in his arms into the great conservatory ; I was anxious to shew Sir Ilenry a magniticent cactus, just come into blossom, and, for a moment, ho put you down, while he ascended a few steps to look TUB TUUNO COMMANDER. 297 at tho flowor. Short as was the time, jou con- trived to thrust your little Jirin through a paue of glass — the glass inflicted a severe cut upon the arm just below the elbow. Though tho wound healed, it left a distinct mark like a small cord round tho arm. I considered mygelf tho cause of the accident, and it made an impression on mo. Some seven or eight months after, the mark was still as plain as ever, and I felt satisfied it would always re- main. *^ "When it was reported that you were miss- ing, and supposed drowned, I said at once it was scarcely possible you could huve fallen into the river from the nature of tho bank, and the time of tide ; and firmly believing in my own mind that you were stolen and not drowned, I continued to search the country round all the rest of that day and night. 1 found a gang of gipsies encamped on a com- mon near Truro; but certainly if they had 298 THE YOUNG COMMANDER. auything to do with your strange disappear- aucc I could Dot criiuiuato them. 1 did not return to Trcgauuon till the following day — imagine my horror and grief, when I heard of my master's death. ^* Three or four weeks after, your supposed body was found ; with others I eagerly ran to examine it. Of the garments there was no manner of doubt — but I doubted the body. I said the limbs were not near so large, nor could I find a mark on the right arm, and I thought the hair lighter ; but the Miss Tre- gannons and Miss Pritchard, the governess, said there was no doubt whatever about the body — whoso else could it be ? As to the mark I spoke of, they said that was ridiculous, no one ever remarked the thing but myself — so the body was buried as the heir of Tregan- non — but I never, for one moment, believed it was the body of tl e loit child — I still consi- dered you stolen, and carried off soiiiC where, T!IK TOUXG COMMANDER. 299 but why, I could not riglitly make clear to myself. I thoui^ht of your cousin, the pre- sent false Baronet, but I could not see, what he could gain by that proceeding, while your father lived, for he surely could not calculate on the Baronet's taking poison accidentally. Sir Henry's death certainly would make him next heir ; and thus in the end, I came to the con- clusion, that he must have had a hand iu mak- ing away with the unfortunate child; but years passing away banished all but the memory of the past from my mind. When my mother spoke to me about your strange and wonderful likeness to the late Baronet, and that there was something strange in your manner and words, and your being a nephew of Mr. Bond, I all at once became i nprcsscd with the conviction, that you would turn out to be Sir Henry's son. The sight of your features, the tone of your voice, so wonderfully similar, satisfied me I was right, and I eagerly bared your arm to see 200 TUB YOUNG COMMANDER. if after the lapse of years, there should yet remain some traee of the deep cut you received wheu a child ; and there, on the identical spot like a white thread, remains the mark I speak of, and 80 the Almighty in Ilis mercy has pre- served you through all, that you may de- feat the villain who has usurped your birth- right." Claude Trcgannon was much moved by the deep devotion and affection Mr. Treestrail evinced for his father and himself ; late as it was he could not refrain from giving his anx- ious listener a full account of his past life, and position in the world, and the extreme diffi- culty, if not impossibility, of establishing his claims. ^' And now, Mr. Treestrail," said our hero, *' we will leave till to-morrow any further disclosures and comments on this strange and complicated state of affairs, I will then let you know the project I had in view THE YOUNG COMMANDER. 801 incoming here; you can greatly assist me, and, perhaps together, wo may do more than either singly. I wish — and you can see yourself the I^ropriety of my doing bo — to remain a stranger to every one, except your aged mother.'^ "^ Ah, my dear sir," said Mr. Treestrail, *'you could not deceive her, old as she is, her memory of the past is clear, and her devotion and affection too strong and sincere to bo weak- ened by any thing you said. In her heart she knew yuu were Sir Henry^s lost son, and your passing yourself off for Mr. Bond's nephew, decided tlie belief ; but as vuu say, it is late ; thank God I have lived to see this day, we may be baffled for a time, my dear young master, but the Lord will yet assert your rights when you least think of it. God bless you sir," he added pressing his hand affection- ately, '' 1 havo many strange thoughts in my brain now, but they are all confused ; by VOL. I. r 302 THE YOUNG COMMANDKR. to-morrow I shall get them into order," bo saying the honest and kind hearted Mr. Treestrail retired, leaving Claude Tregannou to his own complicated thoughts and reflections. END OF VOL. I, r. C. Ncvrbj Printer, 30, Welbeck Street, Carendisb Sq. .a!i#v.>